In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Once we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). He said: “There will appear before you a man of the rightful dwellers of Paradise.” Anas said: ‘A man of Al-Ansar appeared before us. He was shaking off water from his beard after performing the ablution carrying his sandals in his left hand. He greeted us.’ The following day, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said the same and that man appeared once again. On the third day, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said the same and that man appeared once again.’ When the Prophet (SAWS) left, Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Ass followed the man. He said to him; ‘I have had some words with my father and swore not to stay in my house for three nights. Please let me accompany you for the three nights. The man accepted. Abdullah spent three nights with the man. He observed that the man did not perform the night prayer (he performed the obligatory prayer Ishaa but not the voluntary prayers) but whenever he rolled over from side to side while sleeping, he used to glorify Allah. He did not get up except for the Dawn prayer (Fajr). Abdullah said; ‘I did not hear him saying anything but good. After the three nights had passed and I was about to contempt what he had used to do (of the minimal acts of worship), I said to him; ‘O servant of Allah! There was nothing between my father and me, but I have heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) saying such and such about you, so, I wanted to see what you do. I did not see you doing much goodness. What has raised you to such a rank?’ The man said; ‘It was only what you have seen. When I went out, the man called me and said; ‘It was only what you have seen. But I do not envy a Muslim for what Allah has given him.’ Abdullah said to him; ‘Nothing made you reach that rank except this. And not all of us are able to do so.’
SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 250, Page 1008, Number 865