614 — Ubayd Allah ibn Ahmad informed us, saying: I found in the book of Ubayd Allah al-Nahwi, who said: Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ulwan al-Muqri’ related to me, saying: Waki‘—that is, Muhammad ibn Khalaf—related to us, saying: Abu Hamdun al-Muqri’ related to us:

“When people became embroiled in the controversy over the claim, ‘My utterance of the Quran is created,’ and over the position of Husayn al-Karabisi ⦗399⦘ concerning this matter, I was teaching Quranic recitation in al-Karkh. A man came to me and began debating with me, saying, ‘I maintain that my utterance is created, while the Quran is uncreated.’

“He cast me into doubt, so I asked Allah, exalted is He, for relief. That night, I slept and saw myself in a vast open plain. There was a couch piled with cushions, upon which sat a venerable elder. I had never seen anyone with a more handsome face, a more spotless garment, or a more pleasant fragrance. People were standing to his right and left.

“Then the man who had been debating with me was brought and made to stand before him. A likeness in a sunjard was brought, and it was said, ‘This is the likeness of Mani, who led people astray.’ It was placed upon the man’s nape. The elder said, ‘Strike Mani’s face; we do not mean you.’

“The man said, ‘Then remove it from my nape and strike it however you wish.’ The elder replied, ‘And you, remove your utterance from the Quran, and say whatever you wish concerning your utterance.’

“I awoke, and my distress had left me.”