anyone who sits with them.’” These people, who are among the best of Allah’s allies, sought Paradise and refuge from the Fire.

Furthermore, when the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) accepted the pledge of allegiance from the Ansār on the night of al-‘Aqabah, those who pledged allegiance to him were among the foremost of the earliest believers, who were better than all these shaykhs. They said to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), “Stipulate your conditions on behalf of your Lord, yourself, and your Companions.”

He said, “My condition for myself is that you protect me from whatever you protect yourselves and your families from; and my condition for my Companions is that you share what you have with them.”

They asked, “If we do that, what will we receive?”

He replied, “Paradise will be yours.”

They said, “Stretch out your hand! By Allah, we will neither release you from this pledge nor ask you to release us.” They had also said to him in the course of