and conclusive knowledge and certainty have been established. For we are certain of Hātim’s generosity, even though not a single report with an acceptable chain of transmission has been related concerning it, because the conditions we have mentioned are present. The same applies to ʿUmar’s justice, ʿAlī’s courage, ʿĀ’ishah’s knowledge, and the fact that she was the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the daughter of Abū Bakr, and similar matters. None of this is doubted, and mass transmission is hardly ever established in any other way.

It is therefore all the more fitting that mass transmission and certainty should be established in the matter under discussion, given the sound chains of transmission, the transmission by upright and trusted narrators, the abundance of reports and their inclusion in innumerable compilations of the imams and hadith masters, and the Muslim community’s acceptance of them [and their transmission of them], without any opposing evidence to contradict them or anyone censuring those heard relating any of them. This is especially so since they accord with what is stated in the mighty Quran:

“Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it—a revelation from One who is Wise, Praiseworthy (42).” [Fussilat: 42]

Allah Most High says in several places in His Book:

“Then He rose over the Throne.” [Al-Aʿrāf: 54]

And He says:

“Do you feel secure from Him who is in