English Translation

Abdullah told us, my father told me, Kathir ibn Hisham told us, Ja'far — meaning Ibn Burqan — told us, Habib ibn Abi Marzuq told us, from Ata ibn Abi Rabah, from Abu Muslim al-Khawlani, who said: I entered the mosque of Homs, and there were about thirty elderly men from among the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Among them was a young man with dark-lined eyes and gleaming front teeth, sitting silently; whenever the people disputed about something, they would turn to him and ask him. I said to a companion sitting with me, "Who is this?" He said, "This is Mu'adh ibn Jabal." Love for him settled in my heart, so I stayed with them until they dispersed. Then I hastened to the mosque, and there was Mu'adh ibn Jabal standing praying by a pillar. He remained silent, not speaking to me, so I prayed, then sat down and wrapped myself in my cloak. Then he sat down and remained silent, not speaking to me, and I remained silent, not speaking to him. Then I said, "By Allah, I love you." He said, "For what do you love me?" I said, "For the sake of Allah, Blessed and Exalted." So he took hold of the wrap of my garment and pulled me toward him a little, then said, "Rejoice, if you are truthful, for I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: Those who love one another for the sake of My glory will have pulpits of light, envied by the prophets and the martyrs." He said: I went out and met Ubadah ibn al-Samit, and I said, "O Abu al-Walid, shall I not tell you what Mu'adh ibn Jabal told me about those who love one another?" He said, "Then I will tell you what I heard from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, raising it to the Lord, Mighty and Sublime, who said: My love is assured for those who love one another for My sake, My love is assured for those who visit one another for My sake, My love is assured for those who give to one another for My sake, and My love is assured for those who maintain ties with one another for My sake."