The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "While I was sleeping, a group (of my followers were brought close to me), and when I recognized them, a man (an angel) came out from amongst (us) me and them, he said (to them), 'Come along.' I asked, 'Where?' He said, 'To the (Hell) Fire, by Allah' I asked, 'what is wrong with them' He said, 'They turned apostate as renegades after you left.' Then behold! (Another) group (of my followers) were brought close to me, and when I recognized them, a man (an angel) came out from (me and them) he said (to them); Come along.' I asked, "Where?' He said, 'To the (Hell) Fire, by Allah.' I asked, What is wrong with them?' He said, 'They turned apostate as renegades after you left. So I did not see anyone of them escaping except a few who were like camels without a shepherd."
To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 6587
Hadith Text
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "While I was sleeping, a group (of my followers were brought close to me), and when I recognized them, a man (an angel) came out from amongst (us) me and them, he said (to them), 'Come along.' I asked, 'Where?' He said, 'To the (Hell) Fire, by Allah' I asked, 'what is wrong with them' He said, 'They turned apostate as renegades after you left.' Then behold! (Another) group (of my followers) were brought close to me, and when I recognized them, a man (an angel) came out from (me and them) he said (to them); Come along.' I asked, "Where?' He said, 'To the (Hell) Fire, by Allah.' I asked, What is wrong with them?' He said, 'They turned apostate as renegades after you left. So I did not see anyone of them escaping except a few who were like camels without a shepherd."
Commentary on the Vision
This profound hadith reveals a true vision granted to the Prophet (ﷺ) by Allah. The groups presented were from his Ummah, recognized by him as his followers. The angel's command "Come along" to the Fire indicates their ultimate destination due to their apostasy after the Prophet's death. This serves as a grave warning against abandoning Islam.
Meaning of Apostasy
The term "turned apostate as renegades" refers to those who abandon Islam completely after having embraced it. This includes rejecting fundamental beliefs, denying obligatory practices, or committing acts of major disbelief. The repetition of this phrase for both groups emphasizes the severity of this sin and its consequence.
The Few Saved Ones
The simile "like camels without a shepherd" describes the small number who remained faithful. Just as stray camels are vulnerable without guidance, these few believers maintained their faith without the Prophet's physical presence through adherence to the Quran and Sunnah. This illustrates that preservation of faith requires clinging to divine guidance.
Spiritual Lessons
This narration tenderizes hearts by: 1) Showing the gravity of apostasy, 2) Emphasizing the need for steadfastness in faith, 3) Warning against complacency in religious commitment, 4) Demonstrating the Prophet's concern for his Ummah, and 5) Highlighting that salvation depends on clinging to Islamic teachings until death.