59 – Ibn al-Mubārak said: Rishdīn ibn Saʿd also narrated to me, reporting from Ibn Anʿum, from Abū ʿUthmān, who related from Abū Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Two men who had entered the Fire raised such a clamour that their cries intensified. The Lord said, ‘Bring them out.’ When they were brought forth, He asked them, ‘Why was your wailing so intense?’

They replied, ‘We did that so that You might show mercy to us.’

He said, ‘My mercy toward you is this: go now and throw yourselves back into the place from which you came in the Fire.’

So they set off. One of them went ahead and cast himself in, whereupon Allah made the Fire cool and safe for him. The other man remained standing and did not throw himself in.

The Lord said to him, ‘What kept you from casting yourself in as your companion did?’

He answered, ‘My Lord, I was hoping that You would not return me to it after You had taken me out.’

The Lord said, ‘Your hope is granted.’

Thus, by Allah’s mercy, both of them will enter Paradise together.”