English Translation

Isma'il narrated to us, Bahz ibn Hakim ibn Mu'awiya narrated to us, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: I heard the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "There was a servant among the servants of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, to whom Allah had given wealth and children, and he owed no religious duty to Allah, Blessed and Exalted. He remained thus until, when part of his life had passed or part remained, he reflected and realized that he would never store up any good with Allah, Blessed and Exalted. He called his sons and said, 'What kind of father do you consider me?' They said, 'The best, O our father.' He said, 'By Allah, I will not leave with any one of you any wealth of mine without taking it from him, and you will indeed do to me what I command you.'" He said: So he took a pledge from them, by my Lord. He said, "Since that is so, when I die, throw me into the fire until I become ashes, then crush me." He said: It is as though I can see the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) gesturing with his hand upon his thigh - "then scatter me in the wind, so that perhaps I may elude Allah, Blessed and Exalted." He said: So it was done to him, by the Lord of Muhammad, when he died. Then he was brought in the best state he had ever been, and presented before his Lord, Blessed and Exalted, who said, "What led you to the fire?" He said, "Fear of You, my Lord." He said, "Indeed I hear you as one in awe," so he was forgiven.