Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: Abu Jahl said, "Can Muhammad (peace be upon him) save his face among the people?" By the One in whose name oaths are sworn, if I see him doing so, I will place my foot on his neck." Then he came towards the Prophet (peace be upon him) to place his foot on his neck. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was performing prayer at that time. The narrator states: After a short while, it seemed as if he was trying to protect himself from something with his hand, and he turned back on his heels. Other people came to him and asked, "O Abu al-Hakam, what happened to you?" He said, "Between me and him was a trench of fire, terror, and wings." (i.e., there were invisible beings) The narrator named Abu Mu'tamir has transmitted these words, so Allah the Exalted revealed this verse: "Have you seen the one who forbids a servant when he prays?" This verse continues to the end: "Then let him call his assembly," meaning his people. "We will call the guards," meaning the angels. "Do not obey him." After this, Allah the Exalted commanded the Prophet (peace be upon him) to perform a prostration of recitation at the end of this Surah.

The narrator says: According to Mu'tamir, this narration has also reached us that Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "If he had come near me, the angels would have snatched away each of his limbs."