Umm Abd, O Ka'b, about the lowest in rank among the people of Paradise? What, then, of the highest?”

Ka'b replied, “O Commander of the Faithful, what no eye has seen and no ear has heard! Allah Most High created an abode for Himself and placed therein whatever He willed of wives, fruits and drinks. Then He sealed it shut, and no one has seen it—neither Gabriel nor any other angel.” Then Ka'b recited:

“No soul knows what delights of the eyes are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.” (17) [al-Sajdah 17]

He said, “Below that, He created two gardens, adorned them as He willed, and showed them to whomever He willed among His creation.”

Then he said, “Whoever has his record in Illiyyīn will dwell in that abode which no one has seen. Indeed, when a man from among the people of Illiyyīn goes out to walk through his dominion, not a single tent in Paradise remains without some light from his face entering it. Its inhabitants rejoice at his fragrance and say, ‘Ah, what a lovely fragrance! This is a man from among the people of Illiyyīn, out walking through his dominion.’”

Then Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Come now,