501 – ʿAbd Allah narrated to us; my father narrated to us; ʿAbd al-Ṣamad narrated to us; Mahdī informed us; ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd, the companion of al-Ziyādī, narrated to us from Ibn Munabbih, who said:

“I was told that, among those who came before you, there was a man who had devoted himself to worship for a lengthy period. Later he asked Allah for a particular need, and in pursuit of it he fasted for Allah seventy Saturdays, breaking his fast each Saturday with no more than eleven pieces of fruit while continually imploring Allah to fulfill his request. Yet the request was not granted.

“When that period ended and the need remained unanswered, he turned on himself and said, ‘You are the reason you have been denied. Had there been any good in you, your need would have been granted; but there is no good in you.’

“Immediately an angel descended to him and said, ‘O son of Adam, this very moment in which you have reproached yourself is better than all your past worship. Allah has granted you your request.’”