Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: Allah has Angels who roam the earth, their sole duty is to seek out the assemblies where Allah is remembered (thikr Ullah). Whenever they find such a gathering in which Allah is remembered, they sit with them (the people), spread their wings out covering each other in such numbers that they fill all the space between them and the lowest Heaven. When they (the people) disperse, the Angels depart and ascend to Heaven.
The Prophet (saw) said that Allah would then ask the Angels, even though He is more aware than them (Allah is the Knower of all things hidden and open): Where have you come from?
They would say: We have come from the presence of Your servants on earth who glorify You, declare Your greatness and praise and exalt You.
Allah would ask: What do they ask of Me?
The Angels would say: They request Paradise.
Allah would ask: Have they seen My Paradise?
The Angels would reply: No, truly they have not.
Allah would ask: What if they had seen My Paradise?
The Angels would reply: Had they really seen it, they would have sought after it even more!
Allah would ask: And what do they seek?
The Angels would reply: They seek Your protection.
Allah would ask: And from what do they seek protection?
The Angels would reply: From the Fire (Hell), O my Lord. Allah would ask: Have they seen the Fire? The Angels would say: No, O my Lord.
Allah would ask: What if they had seen the Fire?
The Angels would say: They would have begged for Your forgiveness (even more).
The Prophet (Saw) said that Allah would say: I have forgiven them. I have given them what they have asked for and granted them protection.
The Angels would say: My Lord, there is among them such and such sinful man, he was only passing by and chanced to sit with them. Allah would say: I have forgiven him too, these people’s companion is not condemned. (Muslim shareef)