Sahih al-Bukhari 4476

Muslim ibn Ibrahim related to us: Hisham related to us: Qatada related to us, from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet. Khalifa also said to me: Yazid ibn Zuray‘ related to us: Sa‘id related to us, from Qatada, from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet, who said:

“On the Day of Resurrection, the believers will gather and say, ‘If only we could seek intercession with our Lord.’ They will go to Adam and say, ‘You are the father of humanity. Allah created you with His hand, made His angels prostrate to you, and taught you the names of all things. Intercede for us with your Lord so that He may relieve us of our place here.’ He will say, ‘I am not fit for this,’ and mention his sin, feeling ashamed. ‘Go to Noah, for he was the first messenger Allah sent to the people of the earth.’

“They will go to him, and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this,’ and mention his asking his Lord about something of which he had no knowledge, feeling ashamed. He will say, ‘Go to the Close Friend of the Most Merciful.’ They will go to him, and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this. Go to Moses, a servant to whom Allah spoke and to whom He gave the Torah.’ They will go to him, and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this,’ and mention his killing a person without having killed anyone, feeling ashamed before his Lord. He will say, ‘Go to Jesus, Allah’s servant and messenger, His word and a spirit from Him.’

“They will go to him, and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this. Go to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, a servant whose past and future sins Allah has forgiven.’ They will come to me. I will go and seek permission to approach my Lord, and permission will be granted to me. When I see my Lord, I will fall down in prostration. He will leave me in that state for as long as Allah wills. Then it will be said, ‘Raise your head; ask and you will be given; speak and you will be heard; intercede and your intercession will be accepted.’ I will raise my head and praise Him with words of praise that He will teach me. Then I will intercede, and He will set a limit for me; I will admit them to Paradise. Then I will return to Him, and when I see my Lord [he described it in the same way], I will intercede again. He will set a limit for me, and I will admit them to Paradise. Then I will return a third time, then a fourth time, and say, ‘None will remain in the Fire except those whom the Quran has held back and for whom eternal punishment has become binding.’”

Abu Abdullah said, “‘Those whom the Quran has held back’ means Allah’s words, ‘abiding therein forever.’”