368 — Abū ʿUbayd ʿAlī ibn al-Husayn ibn Harb informed us, saying: al-Hasan ibn Muhammad al-Zaʿfarānī narrated to us, saying: Yazīd ibn Hārūn narrated to us, saying: Humayd informed us, from Anas, who said: The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Do not be impressed by anyone until you see what end he is granted. A person may spend a period of his life—or a span of his years—performing righteous deeds such that, were he to die upon them, he would enter Paradise; then he changes course and performs evil deeds. And a servant may indeed spend a period of his life ⦗788⦘ performing evil deeds such that, were he to die upon them, he would enter the Fire; then he changes course and performs righteous deeds. When Allah intends good for a servant, He sets him to work.”

They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how does He set him to work?” He replied, “He grants him success in performing a righteous deed and then takes him while he is upon it.”