have said, ‘Two people were crossing a desert. Amongst them, one was an ‘Aabid (worshipper) while the other was a sinner. One who was ‘Aabid, felt thirsty to such an extent that he fell down due to dehydration. The fellow traveller saw him lying unconscious. He thought, ‘If this ‘Aabid died, though I have water as well, I will not attain any goodness from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and if I serve him water, then I will die’. However, he trusted Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and made his intention to help the ‘Aabid. He splashed some water on him and let him drink the rest. The ‘Aabid stood up and then they crossed the desert.

When the accountability of the sinner will be carried out, (after his death) he would be ordered to be thrown into Hell. The angels will take him with them. At that moment, he will see the (same) ‘Aabid. The sinner will say, ‘O so-and-so! Did you recognize me?’ He (‘Aabid) will say, ‘Who are you?’ He will reply, ‘I am the same person who saved your life on that day in the desert.’ Then the ‘Aabid will say, ‘Yes, I have recognized you.’ The ‘Aabid will say to the angels, ‘Stop!’ So they will stop over there. Then he will pray to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, ‘O my Rab (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)! You know that how that person had favoured me and saved my life! O Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Let me decide upon his matters.’ So Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will say, ‘He is given in your custody.’ Then the ‘Aabid will come and hold the hand of his brother (who had served him water) and take him to Jannah.’

(Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsat, vol. 2, pp. 167, Hadees 2906)