the hadith that we shall cite, Allah willing, which al-Khallāl narrated from Abū Thaʿlabah, from Abū ʿUbaydah, from the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, who said:

“On the night I was taken on the Night Journey, I saw my Lord in the most beautiful form. He asked, ‘What is the highest assembly disputing about?’ I replied, ‘I do not know.’” He said: “Then He placed His hand until I felt…”—then he mentioned a word I have forgotten. He said: “Then He asked, ‘What is the highest assembly disputing about?’” He then related the report.

Al-Qādī said: “Know that the discussion of this report falls into several sections: the first concerns establishing the occurrence and authenticity of the Night Journey; the second, affirming that he saw Allah Most High that night; the third, the placing of the palm between his shoulders; the fourth, applying the designation ‘form’ to Him; and the fifth, his saying, ‘I do not know,’ when He asked him, ‘What is the highest assembly disputing about?’” He then discussed these points.

I say: Although the Night Journey is true and reliable reports attest that Muhammad, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, saw his Lord, and although it is authentically reported from the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, in this hadith that he saw Him in Medina