Could you mention the reference of this statement and who is it attributed to?
إن العبد إذا استوت سريرته وعلانيته قال الله عز وجل هذا عبدي حقا
Answer
Imams Waki’ and Abu Nu’aym (rahimahumallah) have recorded this as a statement of the reliable Tabi’i; Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdillah ibn Shikkhir (rahimahullah).
(Kitabuz Zuhd of Imam Waki’, Hadith: 530 and Hilyatul Awliya, vol.2 pg.205)
Translation
Indeed when a person’s private and public conduct are the same, Allah Ta’ala says: This is truly my slave.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar