It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah Almighty has some angels who travel about the earth and are assigned in addition (to seek out remembrance), who search for gatherings of remembrance on the earth. When they come upon a gathering of remembrance, they cover one another with their wings until they reach the heaven. Then Allah, Glorified and Exalted, asks them, while He is the most knowing of their condition: Where have you come from? They say: O our Lord, we have come from those servants of Yours who were glorifying You, 'Subhan Allah' (Allah is free of all imperfection); magnifying You, 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest); praising You, 'Al-hamdu lillah' (All praise is for Allah); declaring Your oneness, 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no god but Allah); asking of You and seeking Your protection. Allah Almighty says: What do they ask of Me? while He Himself is the most knowing. They say: O our Lord, they ask You for Paradise. Allah says: Have they seen it? They say: No, O Lord. Allah says: Then what would their state be if they had seen it? Then Allah says: From what do they seek My protection? while He Himself is the most knowing. They say: From the Fire (Hell). Allah says: Have they seen it? They say: No. Allah says: Then what would their state be if they had seen it? Then Allah Almighty says: Bear witness that I have forgiven them all, I have given them what they were asking for, and I have granted them protection from what they were seeking protection from. Then the angels say: O our Lord, among them was a very sinful servant who (came for some purpose and) sat with them, and he was not one of them (those remembering Allah)! Allah Almighty says: I have forgiven him too. These are the people whose companion (the one who sits with them) is not left wretched and deprived." This hadith is sahih (authentic), and Imam Muslim bin al-Hajjaj alone recorded it, in abridged form, from the narration of Wuhayb bin Khalid from Suhayl.