and the leading scholars among the Successors likewise transmitted it, while all the authorities he named recorded it, consigned it to their books, and censured anyone who denied it.

The commentator on the Muwaṭṭaʾ—the author of a commentary such as no one (1) else has produced—Imam Abū ʿUmar Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr (2) said: “This ḥadīth is firmly established (3) through transmission; its chain is sound, and the experts in ḥadīth are unanimous about its authenticity.” He also said (4): “Besides this chain, the ḥadīth is conveyed through other routes (5) by trustworthy narrators from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.”

Moreover (6), it is proof that Allah—Mighty and Majestic—is in the heaven, upon the Throne, above the seven heavens, just as the mainstream community affirms. It is one of their evidences against the Muʿtazilah (7), who claim that Allah is in every place and not upon the Throne.” He then expanded on the issue at length.

Likewise, the ḥadīths that speak of the Divine Laugh are mutawātir from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and have been transmitted (8) by the leading authorities. Mālik also included in the Muwaṭṭaʾ (9) his narration from Abū al-Zinād (10) through