[18]. Once the Prophet and a few of his companions were together when the two funerals passed by. In each case, the Prophet asked who the deceased was. They named the first person and said that he was a man who loved Allāh and the Prophet, and was keen to obey Allah’s orders and to steer away from sin. They added that he was a very good and pious person with no doubt about the strength of his faith. When the second funeral went through and they named the deceased, they added that he was a man of bad manners, abusive and negligent of his religious duties. Commenting on both cases, the Prophet used the same words, “He has secured it.”
The Prophet’s companions were amazed at this. Hence they asked what was secured by both persons. The Prophet told them that the one who received their praises secured heaven, while the other of whom they were very critical secured hell.
The Prophet further said: “You (devout Muslims) are Allah’s (Jehovah’s) witnesses on earth.”