One day the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got up and prayed Fajr, then he sat until the forenoon, then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) smiled. Then he sat where he was until he had prayed Zuhr, 'Asr and Maghrib, and he did not speak until he had prayed 'isha'. Then he got up and went to his family. The people said to Abu Bakr: Why don't you ask the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) what is the matter? He did something today that he never did before. So he asked him and he said: `Yes, I was shown what is to come of this world and the Hereafter. The earlier and later generations were gathered in one place and the people got terrified because of that. They went to Adam when the sweat was about to reach their mouths, and they said: O Adam, you are the father of mankind and Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, chose you. Intercede for us with your Lord, He said: I am in the same position as you. Go to your father after your father, to Nooh, “Allah chose Adam, Nooh (Noah), the family of Ibraheem (Abraham) and the family of 'Imran above the 'Alameen (mankind and jinn) (of their times)` (Al 'Imran 3:33}.Then they will go to Nooh and will say: Intercede with your Lord for us, for Allah chose you and answered your supplication, and He did not leave one of the disbelievers on the Earth (cf. 71:26). He will say: I am not the one you want; go to Ibraheem for Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, took him as a close friend (khaleel). So they will go to Ibraheem but he will say: I am not the one you want; go to Moosa, for Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, spoke directly to him (cf. 4:164). But Moosa will say: I am not the one you want; go to 'Eesa Ibn Maryam, for he healed those born blind and the lepers, and he brought forth the dead. But 'Eesa will say: I am not the one you want; go to the leader of the sons of Adam, for he is the first one for whom the earth is split on the Day of Resurrection. Go to Muhammad, for he will intercede for you with your Lord, may He be glorified and exalted. Then (the Prophet) will go and Jibreel will come to his Lord and Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: Give him permission and give him the glad tidings of Paradise. Jibreel will take him and he will fall down in prostration for a week. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: Raise your head, O Muhammad; speak and you will be heard, intercede and your intercession will be accepted. So he will raise his head, and when he looks at his Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, he will fall down in prostration for another week. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: Raise your head, O Muhammad; speak and you will be heard, intercede and your intersession will be accepted. He will start to fall down in prostration again, but Jibreel (peace be upon him) will take hold of his upper arms and Allah, may he be glorified and exalted, will inspire him to offer a supplication such as no human being was ever inspired with. He will say: `O Lord, You created me as the leader of the sons of Adam, and no boast; the first one for whom the earth is split on the Day of Resurrection, and no boast; there will come to my Cistern more people than there can be between San‘a’ and Allah (Eilat).` Then it will be said: Call the Siddeeq's so that they might intercede. Then it will be said: Call the Prophets. So one Prophet will come with a group, and another Prophet will come with five or six people, and another Prophet will come with nobody. Then it will be said: Call the martyrs so that they might intercede for whoever they want. When the martyrs do that, Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: I am the Most Merciful of those who show mercy; I admit to My Paradise anyone who does not associate anything with Me.So they will enter Paradise. Then Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: Look in Hell; can you find anyone who ever did anything good? And they will find a man in Hell, and He will say to him: Did you ever do anything good? He will say: No, except that I was easy-going with people in buying and selling. And Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: Be easy-going with My slave as he was easygoing with My slaves. Then they will bring a man out of Hell and He will say to him: Did you ever do anything good? He will say: No, except that l instructed my sons: When I die, burn me with fire, then grind me until I am like kohl powder. Then take me to the sea and scatter me in the wind, for by Allah the Lord of the Worlds will never be able to punish me. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: Why did you do that? He will say: For fear of You. And Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, will say: Look at the kingdom of the greatest king and you will have the like thereof and ten times as much. He will say: Are You making fun of me when You are the Sovereign? He (the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “That is what I was smiling at, at the time of the foremoon.`
Context and Significance
This profound narration from Musnad Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra) in Musnad Ahmad (Musnad Ahmad 15) describes the Prophet's unique day of continuous prayer and silence, culminating in his vision of the Final Intercession (Shafa'ah al-Kubra). The Companions' concern highlights this as exceptional behavior, indicating the gravity of what was revealed to Allah's Messenger.
The Hierarchy of Intercession
The hadith establishes the prophetic chain of intercession: beginning with Adam, then Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus - each directing humanity to the next until reaching Muhammad (ﷺ). This demonstrates the ultimate status of Prophet Muhammad as the intercessor for all creation on Judgment Day, fulfilling his role as the Seal of Prophets.
Each prophet's specific virtue is mentioned according to their Quranic status: Adam as chosen father, Noah as the saved prophet, Abraham as the intimate friend (khaleel), Moses as the one spoken to directly, and Jesus as the performer of miracles.
The Prophet's Prostration and Supplication
The detailed description of Prophet Muhammad's prolonged prostration before Allah demonstrates both his humility and the immense gravity of the intercession. Allah's repeated command to "raise your head" shows divine mercy and acceptance of his unique station.
The inspired supplication highlights three key honors: leadership of humanity, being the first for whom the earth splits, and the vast multitudes at his Hawd (Cistern). These affirm his preeminent status without boasting, as everything is by Allah's grace.
Divine Mercy and Unconventional Good Deeds
The extraction of people from Hell based on seemingly minor good deeds - fair business dealings and genuine fear of Allah - demonstrates the vastness of divine mercy. Even actions not traditionally considered worship can become means of salvation if accompanied by proper intention and recognition of Allah's majesty.
The man who feared Allah's punishment despite his unconventional request reveals that true taqwa (God-consciousness), even if expressed unusually, does not escape Allah's notice and mercy.
Scholarly Observations
Classical scholars note this hadith establishes the reality of intercession for sinners from the Muslim ummah, confirms the Prophet's unique role as the intercessor, and demonstrates Allah's ultimate mercy overriding His wrath. The sequence of events shows the orderly process of Judgment Day under divine wisdom.
The Prophet's smile at forenoon becomes fully understood at the narration's conclusion - it was in anticipation of witnessing Allah's boundless mercy that would save even those who performed minimal good deeds with sincere hearts.