al-Dahhāk, from Ibn ‘Abbās, who related that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was taken on the Night Journey. He said: “I came to a river of light from blazing fire, and I began to feel afraid. Gabriel kept saying, ‘O Muhammad, ask Allah for steadfastness and support.’ So I began asking for steadfastness and support.” He mentioned that it was beneath the Throne, and continued: “I eventually reached the Throne, and Gabriel held back from accompanying me. When we reached Allah, drowsiness came over me, and with my heart I beheld His majesty.”

Ibn ‘Abbās used to say: “He saw Him with his heart; his eyes did not see Him.”

However, it may be that the original report—that the two of them narrated from Ibn ‘Abbās—was faithfully preserved, but additions were made to it, as has been the practice of many of these