the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) delayed the dawn prayer until it grew light, then said: ‘I was delayed in coming to you only because my Lord said, “O Muhammad, do you know what the Highest Assembly is disputing about?” I replied, “I do not know, my Lord.” He repeated this twice or three times. Then I felt the palm between my shoulders, until I felt its coolness between my breasts. Then everything became clear to me, and I knew. I said, “Yes, my Lord. They are disputing about expiations and degrees. The expiations are going on foot to Friday prayers, performing ablution thoroughly under difficult conditions, and awaiting the next prayer after a prayer. Higher degrees are attained by feeding others, offering greetings of peace, and praying at night while people sleep.”

‘Then He said, “O Muhammad, intercede, and your intercession will be accepted; ask, and you will be given.” I said, “O Allah, I ask You to enable me to do good deeds, abandon evil deeds, and love the poor; to forgive me and have mercy on me; and, if You intend a trial for a people, to take me in death without my being subjected to it. O Allah, I ask You for Your love, the love of those who love You, and a love that brings me to Your love.”’

Ahmad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmān narrated to us, saying: ‘We were told by