your circumstances.” Narrated by Ahmad, Abū Dāwūd and others. And his words to the slave girl in an authentic hadith:

“Where is Allah?” She replied, “In heaven.” He asked, “Who am I?” She replied, “You are the Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Free her, for she is a believer.”

And his words in an authentic hadith:

“When Allah created creation, He wrote in a book kept with Him above the Throne: ‘My mercy has preceded My wrath.’”

And his words in the hadith concerning the taking of the soul:

“Until it is raised to the heaven where Allah Most High is.”

And the verses of ‘Abdullāh ibn Rawāhah, which he recited to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who approved them:

“I bear witness that Allah’s promise is true,
And that the Fire is the abode of the unbelievers;
That the Throne floats above the water,
And above the Throne is the Lord of all worlds.”

And the following verses of Umayyah ibn Abī al-Salt al-Thaqafī, which, together with other poetry of his, were recited to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He admired them and said, “His poetry has believed, but his heart has disbelieved.” Umayyah said:

“Glorify Allah, for He is worthy of glory;
Our Lord in heaven is great,
In the highest edifice—He who preceded mankind
And fashioned a throne above heaven,
Far-stretching, beyond the reach of sight;
Beneath it the angels are seen, their necks inclined.”

And his words in the hadith recorded in al-Musnad:

“Indeed, Allah is Modest and Generous; when His servant raises his hands to Him, He is too modest to return them empty.”

And his words in the hadith:

“He stretches out his hands towards heaven