his Lord”—until he ran out of breath.

Al-Marwudhī informed us, reporting from Abū Abd Allāh, from Yazīd ibn Abbād, who said: “I asked al-Hasan and Ikrimah about the words of Allah Most High:

‘By the star when it descends’ (1) [al-Najm 1].

They both said, ‘When it disappears.’” He then related the account:

“Then he drew near and came down” (8) [al-Najm 8].

Al-Hasan said, “That is my Lord.”

“And was at a distance of two bow-lengths or nearer” (9) [al-Najm 9].

I said, “Abū Saīd, did he see Him directly?” He replied, “Yes.” Then he recited it until he reached:

“He certainly saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs” (18) [al-Najm 18].

Al-Hasan hesitated and said, “He saw the majesty of his Lord, and he saw things.” Ikrimah then asked, “What do you want?” He replied, “I want you to explain it clearly to me.” He said, “He did indeed see Him, then saw Him again.”