Abu Bakr ibn Abi al-Dunya said: al-Hasan ibn ‘Isa narrated to us; ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak narrated to us; Haywah ibn Shurayh narrated to us; al-Walid ibn Abi al-Walid—Abu ‘Uthman al-Madani—who said that ‘Uqbah ibn Muslim told him that Shufayy (1) told him that he once entered Madinah and found a man around whom the people had gathered.

He asked, “Who is this?” They replied, “Abu Hurayrah.” So he drew near and sat in front of him while Abu Hurayrah was speaking to the people. When Abu Hurayrah fell silent and the gathering dispersed, Shufayy said to him, “I beseech you, by Allah and by the right that binds us, do relate to me a ḥadīth you heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”

Abu Hurayrah replied, “I will. I shall narrate to you a ḥadīth the Messenger of Allah ﷺ told me—one I have fully memorised and understood.” Abu Hurayrah then broke into a sob (2) and remained silent for a long time before regaining his composure.

He continued, “I shall indeed relate to you a ḥadīth the Messenger of Allah ﷺ told me in this very house; no one was with us then but him and me.” He sobbed a second time, fell silent for a good while, recovered, and wiped his face.

Then he said, “Yes, I will relate it. I shall tell you a ḥadīth the Messenger of Allah ﷺ narrated to me in this house; no one was with us then but him and me.” Abu Hurayrah sobbed violently, leaned forward and collapsed on his face; I supported him for a long time until he came to.

He then said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

‘When the Day of Resurrection comes, Allah—Majestic and Exalted—will descend to His servants to judge between them, and every community will be on its knees. The first to be summoned will be: a man who learned the Quran, a man who was killed in Allah’s cause, and a man who possessed abundant wealth.

Allah will say to the reciter, “Did I not teach you what I revealed to My Messenger?” He will reply, “Indeed, my Lord.” He will ask, “What did you do with what you learned?” He will answer, “I would stand reciting it by night and by day.” Allah will say, “You lie,” and the angels will say, “You lie.” Then Allah will declare, “You only wished people to say, ‘So-and-so is a reciter,’ and it was said.”

Then the wealthy man will be brought. Allah will say to him, “Did I not expand your provision until you had no need of anyone?” He will reply, “Indeed, my Lord.” He will ask, “What did you do with what I gave you?” He will answer, “I maintained family ties and gave charity.” Allah will say, “You lie,” and the angels will say, “You lie.” Then Allah will declare, “Rather, you wished people to say, ‘So-and-so is generous,’ and it was said.”

Then the one who was killed in Allah’s path will be brought. It will be said to him, “What were you killed for?” He will reply, “My Lord, You commanded fighting in Your cause, so I fought until I was killed.” Allah will say, “You lie,” and the angels will say, “You lie.” Then Allah will declare, “In fact, you wished people to say, ‘So-and-so is brave,’ and it was said.”’

Abu Hurayrah added: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then struck my shoulder and said, ‘O Abu Hurayrah! Those three are the very first of Allah’s creation for whom the Fire will be kindled on the Day of Resurrection.’

Al-Walid, Abu ‘Uthman, continued: ‘Uqbah informed me that Shufayy—who was Mu‘awiyah’s executioner—entered upon Mu‘awiyah and told him this ḥadīth of Abu Hurayrah. Mu‘awiyah said, “If this is what is done with those men, what of the rest of mankind?” He then wept bitterly until we thought he would perish; he recovered, wiped his face, and said:

“Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth:

‘Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornment, We shall fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein shall not be deprived. (15) Those are the ones for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire; what they wrought therein has been rendered worthless, and vain is what they used to do. (16)’ (Hud 11:15–16).”