Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, "The devil draws near to man, and so does the angel. The devil’s approach consists of promise of what is evil, and denial of what is true, whereas the angel’s approach consists of promise of what is good and confirmation of what is true. When anyone experiences the latter, let him know that it comes from God and let him praise God; but if he experiences the other, let him seek refuge in God from the accursed devil.” Then he recited, "The devil promises you poverty and urges you to iniquity.” 1
Tirmidhi transmitted it, and said this is a gharib tradition.
Ibn ‘Abbas told how a man came to the Prophet and said, "I have thoughts of such a nature that I would rather be reduced to charcoal than speak about them.” He replied, ‘‘Praise be to God who has reduced 1 to no more than evil prompting!”
Narrated Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "Men will continue to question one another till this is propounded:
God created all things, but who created God? When they propound that, say, ‘God is one. God is He to whom men repair. He has not begotten and He has not been begotten, and no one is equal to Him.” 1 Then one should spit three times on his left side and seek refuge in God from the accursed devil.”
Abu Dawud transmitted it. We shall mention the tradition of ‘Amr b. al-Ahwas in the chapter on the sermon on the day of sacrifice, if God will.
Narrated Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Men will continue to question one another till they propound this:
‘God created everything, but who created God?’ ”
Bukhari transmitted it. Muslim’s version is: He declared that God said, “Your people will continue to ask, ‘What is this?’ and ‘what is that?’ till they propound this: God created all things, but who created God?”
