Preparation for Returning to Allah
by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
Translated by Shaykh Zaid Shakir
Ibn Abbas, radiyallahu anh - may Allah be well pleased with him, said that the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam - peace and blessings upon his noble soul, said one day to Iblees from whom we seek refuge to Allah: "How many of your beloved are from my Ummah?"
He (Iblees) said: "Ten groups: The tyrannical leader; the arrogant; the wealthy one who is not concerned about how he earns his wealth, nor how he spends it; a religious scholar who supports the leader in his tyranny; the treacherous trader (in business); the one who monopolizes a commodity in order to drive up the price; the adulterer; the one who deals in interest; the miser who doesn't care from where he has accumulated his wealth; and the drunkard." Then he, peace and blessings upon his noble soul, said: "How many enemies do you have from my Ummah?"
He (Iblees) said: "Twenty groups: You Muhammad...I hate you*; the scholar who acts on his knowledge; the memorizer of Quran if he acts on what is in it; the one who calls for the five prayers and he loves the poor, downtrodden and the orphans; the one possessing a merciful heart; the one who humbles himself before the truth; a young person who grows up obeying Allah; the one who eats the halaal; two young people who love each other for the sake of Allah; the one who strives to make prayer in congregation; the one who prays at night while the people are asleep; the one who holds himself back from haraam; the one who gives sincere advise to the Muslim brothers with no ulterior motive; the one who remains in a constant state of wudu'u; the generous one; the one possessing good character; the one who confirms the truth of what Allah has guaranteed him; the one who does good to chaste widows; and the one who prepares for death."
