and its drawing close to the servant. As for his words, ‘The Compeller places His shelter over him,’ this too conveys the nearness of mercy. One says, ‘I am in so-and-so’s shelter,’ meaning that one enjoys his bounty. As for the version transmitted by some, ‘The Compeller places His shoulder over him,’ they agree that this is a scribal error; the transmitters recorded the word with the letter nūn. If the narration is authentic, it is to be understood as drawing near through mercy and forgiveness. And Allah knows best.”

The response to this is as follows: The first report appears in the two Sahīhs, narrated by Abū Hurayra from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The second is likewise among the best-known authentic hadiths. It is recorded in the two Sahīhs from Safwān ibn Muhriz al-Māzinī, who said:

“While Ibn ‘Umar was performing circumambulation, a man approached him and said, ‘O Abū