The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I will be standing at the Lake-Fount so that I will see whom among you will come to me; and some people will be taken away from me, and I will say, 'O Lord, (they are) from me and from my followers.' Then it will be said, 'Did you notice what they did after you? By Allah, they kept on turning on their heels (turned as renegades).' " The sub-narrator, Ibn Abi Mulaika said, "O Allah, we seek refuge with You from turning on our heels, or being put to trial in our religion."
Hadith Text and Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 6593 in the Book "To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)" describes the Prophet's (ﷺ) vision of the Hawd (Lake-Fount) on Judgment Day, where some who appeared to be from his Ummah will be prevented from approaching him due to their apostasy after his death.
The Hawd (Lake-Fount) and Intercession
The Hawd is a special reservoir granted to the Prophet (ﷺ) as an honor, from which believers will drink before entering Paradise. This hadith emphasizes the Prophet's continued concern for his Ummah even in the Hereafter, as he recognizes those who abandoned Islam after his death.
Scholars explain that these are people who outwardly appeared as Muslims but internally apostatized or introduced innovations that took them out of Islam. The Prophet's intercession will not avail them due to their rejection of Tawhid after having accepted it.
Spiritual Lessons and Warnings
This narration serves as a grave warning against apostasy and emphasizes the importance of consistency in faith until death. The companion Ibn Abi Mulaika's immediate response seeking refuge from such fate demonstrates the proper reaction of a believer - awareness of this danger and supplication for protection.
Classical scholars stress that this hadith should increase God-consciousness and encourage self-reflection about one's spiritual state, reminding believers that outward affiliation with Islam is insufficient without inward conviction and steadfastness.
Practical Implications
Muslims should regularly renew their faith, seek knowledge to strengthen their conviction, and avoid environments or influences that may weaken their religion. The narration also teaches the importance of making sincere du'a for protection in faith, as demonstrated by the sub-narrator's immediate response to this warning.