[Explanation]

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—relates from Ḥanẓalah the scribe, one of the Messenger of Allah’s ﷺ scribes of revelation, that he said: “Abū Bakr ⵁ met me, and I declared, ‘Ḥanẓalah has become a hypocrite.’” He was referring to himself, for the verb “has become a hypocrite” means: he has assumed the qualities of the hypocrites. He said this because he—may Allah be pleased with him—thought that what he was experiencing constituted hypocrisy.

Abū Bakr asked, “And what is that?” He replied, “When we are in the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ he reminds us of Paradise and Hellfire until we see them as plainly as sight itself.” That is, such certainty overwhelms us that it is as though we actually behold Paradise and Hellfire, for whatever the Prophet ﷺ reports is as clear as direct observation—indeed, it may be even more compelling, since it comes from the most truthful of all creation, peace and blessings be upon him, and the one who knows Allah best.

“But when we leave him, we mix with our wives, children, and livelihoods,” meaning that we busy and amuse ourselves with them and forget the state we were in while with the Prophet ﷺ. Abū Bakr said that the same happened to him. They then went together to the Prophet ﷺ. When they arrived, Ḥanẓalah said, “Ḥanẓalah has become a hypocrite, O Messenger of Allah!” He asked, “And what is that?” So Ḥanẓalah explained that when they sat with the Prophet ﷺ and he spoke to them about Paradise and Hellfire, a certainty seized them that made them feel as though they were actually seeing them. Yet once they left, they would mingle with family and livelihood, become preoccupied, and forget much.

The Prophet ﷺ replied, “By Him in whose hand my soul rests, if you could remain in the state you are in when you are with me and in remembrance, the angels would shake hands with you on your beds and in your streets.” In other words, the intensity of your certainty would lead the angels to salute you out of honor and to strengthen you, because whenever