22- It was recorded by Aḥmad (2/163, 193) with a chain that satisfies al-Bukhārī’s criteria. Al-Bukhārī himself included it in his Ṣaḥīḥ but without the phrase, “The ties of kinship are suspended from the Throne.” Al-Tirmidhī graded it sound, and this additional wording is supported by many other reports from a number of Companions, among them ʿĀʾishah in the two Ṣaḥīḥs.

31- Abū Umāmah reported: Abū Ayyūb said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stayed with me for a month. I watched what he did, and whenever the sun passed the meridian, if some worldly task was in his hand he would set it aside, and if he was asleep it was as though he had been roused. He would rise, bathe or perform ablution, then pray several rakʿahs slowly and with care, firmly establishing himself in each. I asked him about that and he said: ‘At that hour the gates of heaven and the gates of Paradise are opened, and they are not closed again until we have prayed this prayer. I therefore like a good deed of mine to ascend to my Lord at that very moment.’” It was narrated by Ādam ibn Abī Iyās in Kitāb al-Thawāb, but its chain is weak.

23- I say: For the point in question there is supporting evidence in the narration of ʿAbd Allah ibn al-Sāʾib in abridged form: “It is an hour when the gates of heaven are opened, and I like a righteous deed of mine to rise during it.” Al-Tirmidhī recorded it and graded it ḥasan, and Aḥmad (3/411) transmitted it with an authentic chain. Had the compiler cited this version instead, he would have chosen well, because of the soundness of its chain and the conciseness of its wording.

32- From al-Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr, traced back to the Prophet: “The words ‘subḥāna’llāh’ (glory be to Allah), ‘al-ḥamdu li’llāh’ (praise be to Allah), and ‘lā ilāha illā Allah’ (there is no god but Allah) gather around the Throne, humming like bees, reminding of the one who uttered them. Would any of you not love to have something with the Most Merciful1 constantly making mention of him?”

24- I say: This ḥadīth is authentic. Ibn Mājah recorded it (3809), and al-Ḥākim (1/503) said, “Sound according to Muslim’s criteria,” a verdict with which the compiler agreed.

33- From Ibn ʿAbbās, traced back to the Prophet: “On the Day of Resurrection the murder victim will come holding his killer—his (own) head in his hand and his jugular veins spurting blood—saying, ‘My Lord, he killed me!’ until he brings him close to the Throne.”