the Sahīh, ‘Urwa reports from ‘Ā’isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that she heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say:

“The angels descend into al-‘anān—that is, the clouds—and speak of what has been decreed in heaven. The devils eavesdrop and overhear it, then convey it to the soothsayers, who add to it a hundred lies of their own.”

In the two Sahīh collections, Abū Hurayra reports that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah has angels who roam, free of other duties, seeking gatherings of remembrance. When they find a gathering in which Allah is remembered, they sit with those present and surround one another with their wings until they fill the space between themselves and the lowest heaven. When those gathered disperse, the angels ascend and rise to heaven. Allah asks them—though He knows best—‘Where have you come from?’

“They say, ‘We have come from servants of Yours on earth who glorify You, proclaim Your greatness, declare that none has the right to be worshipped but You, praise You, and ask of You.’

“He says, ‘What do they ask of Me?’

“They say, ‘They ask You for Your Paradise.’

“He says, ‘Have they seen My Paradise?’

“They say, ‘No, O Lord.’

“He says, ‘What would it be like if they saw My Paradise?’

“They say, ‘They also seek Your protection.’

“He says, ‘From what do they seek My protection?’

“They say, ‘From Your Fire.’

“He says, ‘Have they seen My Fire?’

“They say, ‘O Lord, no.’

“He says, ‘What would it be like if they saw My Fire?’

“They say, ‘They also ask Your forgiveness.’

“He then says, ‘I have forgiven them, granted them what they asked for, and protected them from what they sought protection against.’

“They say, ‘O Lord, among them is so-and-so, a servant who frequently sins. He was merely passing by and sat with them.’

“He says, ‘I have forgiven him too. They are people whose companion will not be wretched.’”