The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "There are seven whom Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will shade with His shade on the Day of Resurrection, the Day when there will be no shade but His: A just ruler, a young man who grows up worshipping Allah, the Mighty and Sublime; a man who remembers Allah when he is alone and his eyes flow (with tears); a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid; two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime; a man who is called (to commit sin) by a woman of high status and beauty, but he says: 'I fear Allah'; and a man who gives charity and conceals it, so that his left hand does not know what his right hand is doing."
The Book of the Etiquette of Judges - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5380
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "There are seven whom Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will shade with His shade on the Day of Resurrection, the Day when there will be no shade but His: A just ruler, a young man who grows up worshipping Allah, the Mighty and Sublime; a man who remembers Allah when he is alone and his eyes flow (with tears); a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid; two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime; a man who is called (to commit sin) by a woman of high status and beauty, but he says: 'I fear Allah'; and a man who gives charity and conceals it, so that his left hand does not know what his right hand is doing."
Commentary on the Seven Categories
The just ruler: This refers to one who governs with equity, upholding divine law without favoritism or oppression. His justice extends to all subjects, making him worthy of Allah's special protection on the Day of Judgment when earthly power means nothing.
The devout youth: A young person who resists worldly temptations and dedicates his formative years to worship demonstrates exceptional spiritual strength, earning divine favor that will manifest as shade on the scorching Day of Resurrection.
The private worshipper: One who remembers Allah in solitude, with tears flowing from genuine fear and love, shows sincerity (ikhlas) that transcends public performance of piety. Such hidden devotion is particularly beloved to Allah.
The masjid-attached heart: This describes one whose spiritual orientation remains constantly directed toward the houses of Allah, finding comfort and purpose in worship rather than worldly distractions.
Brotherhood for Allah's sake: When two believers maintain pure friendship solely for divine pleasure, avoiding worldly interests or tribal affiliations, they embody the highest form of human relationship.
The chaste man: Resisting temptation from a beautiful, high-status woman demonstrates profound taqwa (God-consciousness). His declaration "I fear Allah" transforms potential sin into an act of worship.
The secret giver: Concealing charity so completely that one hand doesn't know the other's action represents the pinnacle of sincerity, eliminating any trace of ostentation or expectation of reward from creation.
Scholarly Insights
This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i emphasizes that Allah's special protection on Judgment Day is granted not for worldly status but for specific spiritual qualities that combine inward sincerity with outward righteousness.
The "shade" mentioned symbolizes divine protection from the unimaginable hardships of the Day of Resurrection, where the sun will be brought unbearably close and people will sweat according to their deeds.
These seven categories encompass various aspects of Islamic practice: governance, youth development, private devotion, community attachment, brotherhood, chastity, and charity - showing the comprehensive nature of the path to divine favor.