حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ بْنِ قَعْنَبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ، أَبِي طَلْحَةَ عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ أَعْرَابِيًّا، قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَتَى السَّاعَةُ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ حُبَّ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
Translation
Anas b. Malik reported that a desert Arab said to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)

When would be the Last Hour? Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: What preparation have you made for that? Thereupon he said: The love of Allah and of His Messenger (that is my preparation for the Last Hour) (for the Day of Resurrection). Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: You would be along with one whom you love.

Comment

The Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship - Sahih Muslim 2639a

This hadith contains profound wisdom regarding the believer's preparation for the Day of Judgment. When a companion asked about the timing of the Last Hour, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) redirected the question to emphasize spiritual preparation over worldly curiosity.

Scholarly Commentary on the Hadith

The Prophet's response demonstrates that knowledge of the Hour's exact timing is exclusively with Allah, and what truly matters is one's spiritual state and preparation. The companion's answer reveals the essence of faith - sincere love for Allah and His Messenger.

The concluding statement "You would be along with one whom you love" establishes the principle of spiritual companionship in the Hereafter. Classical scholars explain that this refers to being united with the beloved in the same abode of Paradise, sharing their rank and proximity to Allah.

Spiritual Implications

This hadith teaches that true love for Allah and His Messenger manifests in obedience, emulation of the Prophet's character, and adherence to Islamic teachings. Such love becomes the means to eternal companionship with the righteous in Paradise.

The narration emphasizes that the quality of one's faith, measured by genuine love and attachment to divine principles, determines one's ultimate destiny rather than mere intellectual knowledge or curiosity about unseen matters.