I will be at the Cistern so that I see who among you will come to me. But some people will be barred from reaching me. Thereupon, I will say: 'O Lord, they belong to me and my Ummah

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that he will be at his Cistern on the Day of Judgment to see those among his Ummah who will come to it. Some people will be held back close to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who will say: My Lord, they belong to me and my Ummah. It will be said: Do you know what they did after you left them? By Allah, they quickly turned back upon their heels and abandoned their religion. So, they do not belong to you or to your Ummah.

Lessons

• The Hadīth shows the Prophet's mercy toward his Ummah and his care for them.
• It points out the danger of departing from the Prophet's course.
• It urges us to hold onto the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).