you, stay with you and fulfil your needs. When you die, I will bathe you, shroud you and join with the people to carry your funeral bier on my shoulders and sometimes on another person’s shoulders. When we return (after burying you) and someone asks about you, I will only mention good things about you in front of him.’

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then said: ‘In reality, this brother is like his family.’

After saying this, the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم asked the noble companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم: ‘What are your thoughts regarding him?’

They said: ‘We do not see any good in him.’

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then said: ‘He then goes to his second brother and says, ‘You are also witnessing my state; tell me what can you do for me?’

He replies, ‘I will remain with you until you are alive; as soon as you leave this world, we will go our separate ways, because you will reach the grave and I will remain in this world.’ (The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:) ‘In reality, this brother is that person’s wealth; what are your thoughts regarding him?’

They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! We do not consider him to be good either.’

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then said: ‘That man then says to his third brother, ‘No doubt, you are witnessing my state also. Tell me! What can you do for me?’ So, he consoles him and says, ‘My brother, I will remain with you even in the grave and I will save you from worrying. When the day of recompense comes, I will sit in your scales and make it weighty.’ (The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:) ‘This is his (good) action; what are your thoughts about him?’

They said: O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! This is a very good friend!’

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘This is the reality.’ (Kanz-ul-Ummal, vol. 8, p. 318, juzz 15, Hadees 42974)