fifteen hours, with nine hours of daylight, while in other lands it lasts sixteen hours, with eight hours of daylight, and vice versa. Thus, the length of the night varies according to regions and lands. In some lands, night and day may be equal, while in others the night may extend over most of the twenty-four hours, leaving only a short period of daylight. It follows from this that a third of the night must always be occurring, and that the Lord must always be descending to heaven.”

We ask that you dispel these doubts and difficulties and refute the people of misguidance.

He replied—may Allah be pleased with him:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. The first speaker, who quoted the Prophet’s words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was correct in what he said. His statement has been widely transmitted in the Sunnah from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The early generations of the Muslim community, its leading scholars, and those versed in the Sunnah and hadith have unanimously affirmed its truth and received it with acceptance.

Whoever says what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said speaks truthfully and correctly, even if he does not know the full reality of the meanings it contains. This is like someone who recites the Quran without understanding its meanings. Indeed, the truest speech is Allah’s speech, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, spoke these words and others like them openly and conveyed them to the entire community. He did not reserve them for some people rather than others, nor did he conceal them from anyone. The Companions and the Successors would mention them, relate them, and convey them