In another narration recorded by Muslim, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has noble, roving angels who seek out gatherings of remembrance. When they find an assembly in which Allah is mentioned, they sit with them, enclosing one another with their wings until they fill the space between them and the lowest heaven. When the gathering disperses, the angels ascend to heaven, and Allah—although He knows best—asks them, ‘From where have you come?’
They reply, ‘We have come from some of Your servants on earth who were glorifying You, magnifying You, proclaiming Your oneness, praising You, and asking of You.’
He says, ‘What are they asking Me for?’ They say, ‘They are asking You for Paradise.’ He asks, ‘Have they seen My Paradise?’ They say, ‘No, by Your majesty, they have not.’ He says, ‘What would they do if they saw My Paradise?’
They say, ‘They also seek Your protection.’ He asks, ‘From what do they seek My protection?’ They say, ‘From Your Fire, O Lord.’ He asks, ‘Have they seen My Fire?’ They reply, ‘No.’ He says, ‘What would they do if they saw My Fire?’
They add, ‘And they ask Your forgiveness.’ He says, ‘I have forgiven them, granted them what they asked for, and given them refuge from what they sought refuge against.’
The angels then say, ‘Lord, among them is so-and-so, a servant who is prone to sin; he merely passed by and sat with them.’ He says, ‘I have forgiven him as well; they are a people whose companion will never be miserable on their account.’”
[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—in his book Riyad al-Salihin devotes a chapter to “The Merit of Circles of Remembrance,” meaning gatherings in which Allah is remembered. He then cites the noble verse: “And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes pass beyond them.” In this verse Allah commands His Prophet ﷺ to restrain himself and remain with these virtuous, honorable, noble people. “Keep yourself patient” means hold yourself firmly in their company, for they are the best people with whom one can sit. “They call upon their Lord in the morning” refers to the start of the day, “and in the evening” to its end.