Riyad as-Salihin 151

I met Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) he said: “How are you O Hanzalah?” I said, “Hanzalah has become a hypocrite”. He said, “Far removed is Allah from every imperfection, what are you saying?”

I said, “When we are in the company of Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and he reminds us of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our very eyes, and when we are away from Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), we attend to our wives, our children, our business, most of these things (pertaining to life hereafter) slip out of our minds.”

Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) said, “By Allah, I also experience the same thing”. So Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) and I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Hanzalah has turned hypocrite.” Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “What has happened to you?”

I said, “O Messenger of Allah, when we are in your company, and are reminded of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but when we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds.” Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is my life if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your roads; but Hanzalah, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time should be devoted (to prayer)”. He (the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) said this thrice.