the lowest heaven and the earth, and their thickness was likewise the same. He made the distance between every two earths like that between the lowest heaven and the earth, and their thickness was likewise the same. Then He raised the Throne and rose over it. There is not a single heaven that does not creak like an al-‘ulā saddle when first mounted, because of the weight of the Compeller above them.”

Although this report is narrated by Ka‘b, it may belong to the knowledge of the People of the Book, or it may be something he received from the Companions. Reports from the People of the Book for which we have neither corroborating nor refuting evidence are neither affirmed nor denied.

These scholars named in its chain of transmission are among the most eminent imams. They and others transmitted it without objecting to its words, “because of the weight of the Compeller above them.” Had they regarded this statement as objectionable in Islam, they would not have transmitted it in this manner.