Gentle Examination of Account

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah will bring the believer close to Him and shelter him and cover him, then He will say, ‘Do you acknowledge such and such a sin, do you acknowledge such and such a sin?’ He will say, ‘Yes, O Lord,’ until he will have acknowledged his sins, and he will think to himself that he is doomed. Then Allah will say, ‘I concealed it for you in the world, and I forgive you for it this Day.’ Then he will be given the book of his good deeds. But as for the Kaafireen and Munaafiqeen, the witnesses will say, ‘These are the ones who lied against their Lord! No doubt! The curse of Allah is on the Zaalimoon.’ (Quran: Surah 11, Ayat 18)” [Bukhaari]

Imaam al-Qurtubi said concerning the phrase “will shelter him”: “This means He will cover him with kindness and generosity, and will speak to him gently and converse with him in a conciliatory manner. Allah will say to him, ‘Do you acknowledge?’ and he will say, ‘Yes, O Lord, I acknowledge.’ Then Allah will remind him of His blessings and show His favour upon him by saying, ‘I concealed it for you in the world and I did not expose it, and I forgive you for it this Day.’” [At-Tadhkirah]

Such a person will return to his family rejoicing, his face white, his every joint adorned, increased to the height of Adam (alaihis salam), with a crown on his head, and dressed in beautiful garments. He will be accompanied by an angel who will call out before the people, “This is So and so, the son of So and so, he has attained happiness and will never feel sorrow again.” [At-Tadhkirah]