English Translation

Bahz ibn Asad told us, Sulayman ibn al-Mughirah told us, Humayd — that is, ibn Hilal — told us, from Khalid ibn Umayr, who said: Utbah ibn Ghazwan gave a sermon — Bahz said, and he said before this time: the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave us a sermon — he said: he praised Allah and extolled Him, then said, "To proceed: indeed this world has announced its departure and has turned away swiftly, and nothing remains of it except a remnant like the remnant left in a vessel which its owner pours out for himself. And indeed you are moving on from it to an abode that has no end, so move on with the best of what is in your possession. For it has been mentioned to us that a stone is thrown from the edge of Hell and falls into it for seventy years without reaching its bottom — and by Allah, it will surely be filled! Are you amazed? By Allah, it has been mentioned to us that the distance between the two gates of Paradise is a journey of forty years, and a day will surely come upon it that is packed tight with crowding. And I recall myself as the seventh of seven with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, having no food except the leaves of trees, until the corners of our mouths became sore. And I picked up a cloak and tore it in two between myself and Sa'd, and he wrapped himself in half of it and I wrapped myself in the other half. Yet there is not one of us today but has become the governor of one of the provinces. And indeed I seek refuge in Allah from being great in my own eyes while being small in the sight of Allah. And there has never been a prophethood but that it was succeeded, until its end became kingship, and you will be tested by — or you will come to know — the rulers after us."