form. He said, ‘O Muhammad!’ I replied, ‘At Your service, my Lord.’ He asked, ‘What is the highest assembly disputing about?’ I replied, ‘I do not know.’ He said this three times. Then I saw Him place His palm between my shoulders, until I felt the coolness of His fingertips between my breasts. Everything became clear to me, and I understood.

“He said, ‘O Muhammad!’ I replied, ‘At Your service, my Lord.’ He asked, ‘What is the highest assembly disputing about?’ I replied, ‘About the deeds that expiate sins.’ He asked, ‘What are they?’ I replied, ‘Walking to the Friday prayers, sitting in the mosques after the prayers, and performing ablution thoroughly when it is difficult.’ He asked, ‘Then what else?’ I replied, ‘Feeding others, speaking gently, and praying while people sleep.’

“He said, ‘Ask.’ I replied, ‘O Allah, I ask You to enable me to do good deeds, refrain from evil, and love the poor; and to forgive me and have mercy on me. If You intend a trial for a people, take my life without my succumbing to it. I ask You for Your love, the love of those who love You, and love for deeds that bring me closer to Your love.’”

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: