Second: this indicates that they are lofty couches, with thickness and stuffing between their linings and outer coverings. Reports have been transmitted concerning their thickness and height—if these have been accurately preserved, what is meant is the elevation of the place where they stand. Thus, al-Tirmidhī narrated from Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī that the Prophet ﷺ said concerning the words “And raised couches”: “Their height is like the distance between heaven and earth, and the journey between them takes five hundred years.”

Al-Tirmidhī said: “This is a singular hadith. We know it only through the narration of Rushdayn ibn Sa‘d.”

It has been said that this means the stated height refers to the levels upon which the couches stand.

I say: Rushdayn ibn Sa‘d transmits objectionable reports. Al-Dāraqutnī said: “He is not strong.” Ahmad said: “He does not concern himself with whom he narrates from, but there is no harm in his narrations concerning matters that soften the heart.” He also said: “I hope that he is acceptable in hadith.” Yahyā ibn Ma‘īn said: “He is of no standing.” Abū Zur‘ah said: “He is weak.” Al-Jūzajānī said: “He transmits objectionable reports.” There is no doubt that his memory was poor, so reports that he alone transmits cannot be relied upon.

Ibn Wahb said: “‘Amr ibn al-Hārith narrated to us, from Darrāj Abū al-Samh, from Abū al-Haytham, from Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī, who said: ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said concerning the words “And raised couches”: “The distance between two couches is like the distance between heaven and earth.”’”

This is more likely to be the accurately preserved version. Allah knows best.

Al-Tabarānī said: “Al-Miqdām ibn Dāwūd narrated to us: Asad ibn Mūsā narrated to us: Hammād ibn Salamah narrated to us, from ‘Alī ibn Zayd, from Mutarrif ibn ‘Abd Allāh ibn al-Shikhkhīr, from Ka‘b, who said concerning the words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, ‘And raised couches’: ‘A journey of forty years.’”

Al-Tabarānī also said: “Ibrāhīm ibn Nā’ilah narrated to us: Ismā‘īl ibn ‘Amr al-Bajalī narrated to us: Isrā’īl narrated to us, from Ja‘far ibn al-Zubayr, from al-Qāsim, from Abū Umāmah, who said: ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the raised couches. He replied: “If a couch were cast down from the highest of them