“Shall I not tell you of something greater in rank than fasting, prayer, and charity?” They said, “Indeed.” He said, “Reconciling those in dispute.”

It is a strong corroborating report, cited in Takhrij al-Halal (408). See also the previous number (1448). Through it, this hadith is spared the apparent weakness in its chain of transmission that had formerly led me to include it in Da'if al-Jami' under no. (1110). Then al-Hafiz al-Mundhiri drew our attention to the fact that it is good by virtue of supporting evidence—may Allah reward him well. It should therefore be transferred from there to Sahih al-Jami', and I have done so. Allah Most High is the Granter of success.

2640 — “A servant killed ninety-nine persons. Then he became disposed to repent and asked for the most knowledgeable person on earth. He was directed to a man—in another narration, a monk—and came to him, saying, ‘I have killed ninety-nine persons; is there any repentance for me?’ He said, ‘After killing ninety-nine persons?!’ So he drew his sword and killed him with it, thus completing one hundred. Then he became disposed to repent and asked for the most knowledgeable person on earth. He was directed to a man [who was a scholar], and came to him, saying, ‘I have killed one hundred persons; is there any repentance for me?’ He replied, ‘Who could stand between you and repentance?! Leave the wicked town in which you are and go to the righteous town, such-and-such, [for it contains people who worship Allah]. Worship your Lord there [with them], and do not return to your land, for it is an evil land.’

He set out for the righteous town, but death came to him on [part of] the way. [He leaned forward with his chest toward it.] The angels of mercy and the angels of punishment then disputed over him. Satan said, ‘I have a greater right to him: he never disobeyed me for even an hour!’ But the angels of mercy said, ‘He left repentant, [having turned his heart