The Prophet (ﷺ) said Allah will give shade to seven (types of people) under His Shade (on the Day of Resurrection). (one of them will be) a person who remembers Allah and his eyes are then flooded with tears.
The Virtue of Tears in Divine Remembrance
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (6479) in the Book "To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)" speaks of seven categories who will receive Allah's special protection on the Day of Judgment. Among them is one who remembers Allah in solitude until tears flow from their eyes.
Scholarly Commentary on Weeping in Allah's Remembrance
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that these tears stem from either fear of Allah's punishment, longing for His reward, or overwhelming love for the Divine. Such weeping softens the heart and signifies genuine devotion.
Al-Qurtubi notes that these are not theatrical tears but spontaneous outpourings when one contemplates Allah's greatness, one's own shortcomings, or the magnificence of the Hereafter. The solitude mentioned indicates sincerity, free from ostentation.
Spiritual Significance
This hadith emphasizes that emotional connection with Allah is highly valued. Tears born of divine remembrance extinguish the Hellfire, as another hadith states. They represent the heart's responsiveness to spiritual realities.
Scholars distinguish between tears of fear (khawf) and tears of longing (shawq). Both are praiseworthy when they originate from proper remembrance and understanding of Allah's majesty and mercy.
Practical Implications
This teaching encourages Muslims to engage in sincere dhikr (remembrance) that touches the heart. It's not merely reciting words but reflecting on their meanings until the heart is moved.
The promise of divine shade refers to protection from the horrific heat of the Day of Resurrection, demonstrating Allah's immense reward for seemingly small but sincere acts of worship.