he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord.” (18) [al-Najm 18]

This is supported by Allah’s statement that He made this vision only as a trial for the people. For when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, told them of it, it became a test for them: some believed him, while others disbelieved him. Yet the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not tell them that he had seen his Lord with his own eyes that night.

Imam Abū Bakr ibn Khuzaymah, after affirming that Muhammad saw his Lord on the basis of the statements of Ibn ʿAbbās, Abū Dharr and Anas, said:

“Differing reports have been transmitted from Ibn ʿAbbās concerning the interpretation of His words:

‘And he certainly saw him on another descent.’ (13) [al-Najm 13]

Some narrated from him that he used to say, ‘He saw Him with his heart.’”

He cited the report’s chain of transmission and then said:

“Some of our colleagues cited this report as evidence that Ibn ʿAbbās and Abū Dharr understood this verse to mean that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saw his Lord with his heart, on the basis of the words of the Most High following the passage we have explained:

‘Then He revealed to His servant what He revealed. (10) The heart did not deny what it saw.’ (11) [al-Najm 10-11]

An interpretation was also given of