The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The believers would gather on the Day of Resurrection, and they would be concerned about it, or would be made mindful of it (i. e. the trjuble for it), (and the remaining part of the hadith w, ) uld be narrated) like the one transmitted by Abu Uwana, and he said in the hadith: Then I would come for the fourth time, or I would return the fourth time, and would say: O my Lord, no one has been left but he whom the Holy Qur'an has restrained.
The Book of Faith - Sahih Muslim 193 b
This narration from Sahih Muslim describes the Prophet's intercession on the Day of Judgment, where believers will be gathered and concerned about their accountability. The hadith indicates that after multiple rounds of intercession, the Prophet will declare that only those restrained by the Qur'an remain - referring to those whose hearts were sealed against faith despite clear guidance.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars explain this hadith as demonstrating the Prophet's unique station of intercession (shafa'ah) on the Day of Resurrection. The "trouble" mentioned refers to the immense difficulty and anxiety people will experience while awaiting judgment.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the phrase "restrained by the Qur'an" refers to those who heard the Qur'an's message but rejected it, thus having their hearts sealed against faith. This indicates that divine mercy has limits for those who persistently reject truth.
Al-Nawawi comments that the multiple returns for intercession show the Prophet's compassion for his ummah and the magnitude of Allah's mercy, which allows for such intercession to occur despite the seriousness of the Day's proceedings.
Theological Significance
This hadith affirms several key Islamic beliefs: the reality of the Day of Judgment, the Prophet's intercessory role, the gravity of rejecting Qur'anic guidance, and Allah's ultimate justice tempered with mercy. It serves as both a warning and consolation for believers.