one of them while he is atop a wall. If he falls, he is sincere.” Others objected because they considered it an innovation contrary to the known way of the Companions, as was reported from Asmā’ and her son ‘Abd Allāh.

The majority of scholars hold that if such a person is involuntarily overcome, he is not to be censured, although the state of someone who remains composed is more perfect. Thus, when Imam Ahmad was asked about this, he said:

“The Quran was recited to Yahyā ibn Sa‘īd al-Qattān, and he fainted. If anyone could have prevented this from happening to him, Yahyā ibn Sa‘īd would have done so, for I have never seen anyone more level-headed than him”—or words to that effect.

It has also been reported that al-Shāfi‘ī experienced this, and the account of ‘Alī ibn al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyād is well known. In short, this has happened to many whose sincerity is beyond doubt.

However, the states experienced by the Companions are those mentioned in the Quran: trembling hearts, tearful eyes, and shivering skin. As Allah Most High says:

“The believers are only those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord.”

And Allah Most High says:

“Allah has sent down the best of speech: a Book consistent and oft-repeated, which causes the skin of those who fear their Lord to shiver; then their skin and hearts soften at the remembrance of Allah.”

And Allah Most High says:

“When the verses of the Most Merciful are recited to them, they fall down in prostration, weeping.”

And He says:

“And when they hear what has been revealed to