and a quiver. He then addressed us, saying:
“I am the envoy of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to you. Be mindful of Allah and act, for before you lies only Paradise or Hell—eternity with no death, abiding with no departure. Every person who labors does so either against himself or for himself, except for that which is done seeking the Face of Allah. Every companion whom a man keeps will ultimately abandon and betray him, except righteous deeds. So attend to your own souls and fortify them with patience in all things.”
Suddenly there appeared a man with a thick head of hair, large dark eyes, fair-skinned, dazzling and radiant. (1)
Al-Wāqidī said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away while Muʿādh was his governor over al-Janad.”
Suhayl narrated—from his father—from Abū Hurayrah: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “What an excellent man is Abū Bakr, what an excellent man is ʿUmar, and what an excellent man is Muʿādh ibn Jabal.” (2)
Ibn ʿUyaynah transmitted a similar report from Ibn al-Munkadir in mursal form.
Haywah ibn Shurayḥ narrated—from ʿUqbāh ibn Muslim (3)—from Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Hubulī—from al-Sunābihī—from Muʿādh, who said:
“The Prophet ﷺ met me and said, ‘O Muʿādh! By Allah, I love you for Allah’s sake.’ I replied, ‘And I—by Allah, O Messenger of Allah—love you for Allah’s sake.’ He said, ‘Shall I not teach you words to say at the end of every prayer? My Lord, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.’” (4)
Marwān ibn Muʿāwiyah narrated—from ʿAṭāʾ—from Abū Naḍrah—from Abū Saʿīd—that Muʿādh entered