Question
I heard various scholars in our country citing a narration during the ‘Eidul Fitr sermon. The Hadith roughly states our Most Gracious Master, Allah Ta’ala, asking the angels what the reward is for the worker who completed his work. The angels reply that the worker should be fully paid. Then Our Master says that His servants, male and female, have fulfilled the obligation upon them and gone out for invocations and He swears by His honour, beauty, nobility, majesty and high status that He would most certainly respond to them. Then Our Master tells His servants to go back as He has forgiven them and replaced their evil deeds with good.
Kindly provide the reference and authenticity of this narration.
Answer
This Hadith has been recorded by Imam Bayhaqi and others (rahimahumullah) on the authority of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3421)
A similar narration has also appeared on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas and Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
(Refer: Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3444, Kitabut Targhib Wat Tarhib Lil Asbahani, Hadith: 1766, At-Targhib Wat Tarhib, Hadith: 1465, and Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 2 pgs. 145-147)
The Muhaddithun have differed with regards to this Hadith. Some of them have graded it as a fabrication whilst others have considered it weak or very weak.
(Refer: At-Targhib Wat Tarhib, Hadiths: 1455, 1465, and 1469, Lataiful Ma’arif, pgs. 373-374, Dar Ibn Kathir edition, Al-Lalil Masnu’ah, vol. 2 pg. 98-99, Tanzihush Shari’ah vol. 2 pgs. 145-147; Also see Fadail A’amal, Virtues of Ramadhan, Section 3, pg. 1047, Hadith: 4)
Through a corroboration of different chains as well as supporting narrations, this narration, although still weak, will be suitable to quote (i.e. there is enough support indicating that this narration does have a basis and does not have to be considered a fabrication).
(Refer: Lataiful Ma’arif, pgs. 373-374 Dar Ibn Kathir edition, and Fadail A’amal, Virtues of Ramadhan, Section 3, pg. 1047, Hadith: 4)
Translation
Hereunder is an explanatory translation of the end of the Hadith relating to the query:
Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) is reported to have narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
When it is the morning of [‘Eidul] Fitr, Allah Ta’ala sends the Angels to every city/town. They come down to the earth and stand at the mouths/entrances of every alley [and road]. They then call out with a voice that every creation of Allah Ta’ala hears besides the jin and mankind. They say: “O Ummah [nation, i.e. followers] of Muhammad [sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam]! Go to the extremely benevolent Rabb that will grant an abundant reward and forgive great faults!”
When they [i.e. the people] go to their place of [‘Eid] Salah, Allah Ta’ala asks the Angels: “What is the recompense for the worker who has done his job?”
The Angels reply: Our Deity and our Master! His recompense is that You grant him his due in full!
Allah Ta’ala then says: ‘O My Angels! Indeed I make you [all] witness that I have granted them My happiness and My forgiveness as a reward for their fasting and standing/praying during the month of Ramadan.
Allah Ta’ala then says: O My servants! Ask of/from me! For indeed, by My honor, and My majesty, whatever you ask of Me in your gathering for your Hereafter I shall most certainly grant you! And whatever you ask of Me concerning your Dunya, I shall look at your welfare (regarding it). By My honor, I will most definitely cover/hide for you your faults so long as you are conscious of Me! By My honor, I will not disgrace you nor defame you before/amongst the sinners. Go/Return forgiven, surely you have pleased Me and I am pleased with you!”
The Angels [then] rejoice and celebrate at the great reward Allah Ta’ala bestows this Ummah with when they have completed the Fast of the month of Ramadan.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3421)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar