decrease.” Reports from them conveying this meaning are numerous1.
Indeed, gatherings of remembrance are the gardens of Paradise in this world. Imam Ahmad, al-Tirmidhī, and others narrated from Anas ibn Mālik—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “When you pass by the gardens of Paradise, graze freely.” They asked, “What are the gardens of Paradise?” He replied, “Circles of remembrance.”2
Ibn Abī al-Dunyā, al-Hākim, and others also narrated it from Jābir ibn Abdullah, who said: The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—came out to us and said, “O people, graze freely in the gardens of Paradise.” We asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are the gardens of Paradise?” He replied, “Gatherings of remembrance.” He then said, “Go forth morning and evening and remember Allah. Whoever wishes to know his standing with Allah should consider the standing Allah has with him, for Allah grants the servant a standing with Himself commensurate with the standing the servant gives Him within himself.”3
It is graded “good” on the strength of these two aforementioned chains.4
Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy upon him—said, “Whoever wishes to dwell in the gardens of Paradise in this world should make gatherings of remembrance his home, for they are the gardens of Paradise.”5
Gatherings of remembrance are the gatherings of the angels. Of all the gatherings in this world, there is no gathering for them