18 – Muhammad ibn Humayd narrated to us; Mehran ibn Abi ʿUmar narrated to us; Sufyan al-Thawri, from ʿUbayd al-Muktab, from al-Fudayl ibn ʿAmr al-Fuqaymi, from al-Shaʿbi, from Anas ibn Malik—concerning the Almighty’s words: “Today We shall seal their mouths” (Qur’an 36:65).

Anas said: We were sitting with the Prophet ﷺ when he laughed so broadly that his molars showed. He then asked, “Do you know what made me laugh?” ⦗45⦘ They replied, “What made you laugh, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “It was the laughter of the All-Merciful at the servant’s disputation with his Lord. The servant will say, ‘My Lord, did You not shield me from injustice?’ He will reply, ‘Indeed, My servant.’ The servant will then say, ‘I accept no witness against me except my own self.’ So He will say, ‘Today your own self is sufficient as a witness against you, and the noble recording angels as witnesses.’ His mouth will then be sealed, and it will be said to his limbs, ‘Speak!’ and they will speak of his deeds. Afterwards he will be allowed to speak again, whereupon he will cry, ‘Away with you and may you perish! It was for your sake that I was contending!’”