With regard to the Prophet’s phrase “on the form of a single man,” some transmitters pronounce it khalq (with a fatḥah on the khāʾ and a quiescent lām), while others read it khuluq (with a ḍammah on both letters); both recitations are acceptable.

1884 – Al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Moses, peace be upon him, asked his Lord, ‘My Lord, who will occupy the lowest rank among the inhabitants of Paradise?’ He replied, ‘It will be a man who arrives after the people of Paradise have already entered it.’ He will be told, ‘Enter Paradise.’ He will say, ‘My Lord, how can I, when the people have taken their places and received their portions?’ He will be told, ‘Would you be content to have a kingdom like that of one of the kings of the world?’ He will say, ‘I am content, my Lord.’ He will say, ‘That—and the like of it, and the like of it, and the like of it, and the like of it.’ When the offer is made the fifth time, he will say, ‘I am content, my Lord.’ He will say, ‘This is yours, and ten times as much besides, and you shall have whatever your soul desires and your eye finds delight in.’ He will answer, ‘I am content, my Lord.’ Moses then asked, ‘My Lord, what about those of highest rank?’ He said, ‘They are those whom I have chosen. I planted their honor with My own Hand and placed My seal upon it: no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and it has never occurred to the heart of any human being.’ ” Narrated by Muslim.

1885 – Ibn Masʿūd, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “I know the last person who will emerge from the Fire and the very last to enter Paradise: a man who will crawl out of the Fire. Allah, Exalted is He, will say to him, ‘Go and enter Paradise.’ He will come to it, and it will seem to him to be full, so he will return and say, ‘My Lord, I found it full.’ Allah will say to him, ‘Go and enter Paradise.’ He will come to it, and it will seem to him to be full, so he will return and say, ‘My Lord, I found it full.’ Allah will say to him, ‘Go…’