What is the shade mentioned in the hadith: “Seven will be shaded by Allah under His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade”?

The questioner : Your Eminence, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen (may Allah preserve him), what is the meaning of “shade” in the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): .

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : Is it permissible for us to say that this shade is the shade of the Throne of Allah, as mentioned in the authentic hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? Please advise us, and may Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : This could be the shade of the Throne, as mentioned in one narration, but that narration is not established to that extent. It could also mean the shade that Allah the Mighty and Majestic creates, as in the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . This is because on that Day and in that arena, there is no shade—no trees, no buildings, or anything else. The earth will be left by Allah the Exalted as a flat, open plain, with nothing in it except the shade by which Allah will shade you. So it is either the shade of the Throne or the shade of deeds, as in the hadith: . Yes.

The questioner : Peace be upon you, O Shaykh.