In this version of the report, the deeds that expiate sins and those that raise one’s rank have been reversed. The correct order is that the deeds listed first expiate sins, while those listed second raise one’s rank, as in the earlier narrations.

The wording, “Someone came to me in the most beautiful form,” is explained by another report transmitted by al-Khallāl: Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Ansārī narrated to us: Mu’ammal narrated to us, saying: ‘Ubayd Allāh ibn Abī Humayd narrated to us, from Abū al-Malīh, from Abū Hurayrah, who reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“I saw my Lord in a dream in the most beautiful form. He said, ‘O Muhammad!’ I replied, ‘At Your service and ready to obey.’ He asked, ‘What does the Highest Assembly dispute about?’”

Mu’ammal also said: Hammād ibn Dalīl narrated to us: Sufyān al-Thawrī narrated to us, from Qays, from Tāriq, a similar report from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

He also said: “It was read to Muhammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Sadrī while I