by the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that his situation was of the first kind. If, on the other hand, it refers to the one seen, there are several interpretations.

The first is that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saw his Lord in a dream in a particular form. This is possible, for dreams are workings of the imagination and therefore necessarily involve an imagined form.

The second is that ‘form’ means ‘attribute.’ Since Allah Most High singled him out for greater honour and favour at the time he saw Him, it would be correct in ordinary usage to say, ‘I saw Him in the most beautiful form,’ just as one says, ‘This event unfolded in the best and most beautiful manner.’

The third is that perhaps, when he saw Him, peace be upon him, he became aware of aspects of the attributes of majesty, might and greatness of which he had not previously been aware.

The fifth report is what is related from Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: ‘I saw my Lord in the most beautiful form.’ He said: ‘Then He placed His hand between my shoulder blades, and I felt its coolness between my breasts, and I came to know what lies between heaven and earth. Then He said, “O Muhammad!” I said, “At Your service and ever ready to obey.” He said, “What is the highest assembly disputing about?” I said, “My Lord,