of hadith (1) that it is false, as well as falsehood (2) whose falsity is apparent to all but the exceedingly ignorant, such as what he mentioned in Minhāj al-Nadāmah.
We have already explained that Ahl al-Sunnah unanimously agree that no one sees Allah with their own eyes in this world—neither a prophet nor anyone else. The only case over which people have disagreed is that of our Prophet [Muhammad] (3)—peace and blessings be upon him—in particular (4). Yet none of the well-known reports of the Ascension (5) state that he saw Him at all. This was reported only through a [weak] (6), fabricated chain of transmission through Abu Ubaydah, which al-Khallāl and Qadi Abu Ya‘lā cited in Ibtāl al-Ta’wīl. Hadith scholars [unanimously agree] (7) that it is a fabricated [lie] (8).
It is authentically established in Sahīh Muslim from Abu Dharr [may Allah be pleased with him] (9), who said: “I said,
(1) ('Ayn): “hadith scholars.”
(2) The word “falsehood” is omitted from (A) and (B).
(3) The name “Muhammad” occurs only in ('Ayn).
(4) See 2/315 above and the discussion that follows.
(5) (B), (A): “although the well-known hadiths.”
(6) The word “weak” is omitted from (N) and (M).
(7) The words “unanimously agree” are omitted from (N) only.
(8) The word “lie” occurs only in ('Ayn). I was unable to locate the hadith to which Ibn Taymiyya refers. I did, however, find a hadith whose chain of transmission does not mention Abū 'Ubayda; al-Suyūtī cited it in *al-La'ālī*, 1/12–13, and al-Shawkānī in *al-Fawā'id*, p. 441. Its wording, as given in *al-La'ālī*, is: Anas attributed the following report to the Prophet: “On the night I was taken up to heaven, I journeyed by night and saw my Lord. Between Him and me stood a manifest veil of fire. I saw all of Him—even a special crown of pearls.” Al-Suyūtī and al-Shawkānī cited the assessments of Ibn al-Jawzī, al-Dhahabī, and others regarding this hadith, all of which held it to be fabricated and false. Ibn 'Arrāq also cited it in *Tanzīh al-Sharī'a*, 1/137, stating: “Its chain includes Qāsim ibn Ibrāhīm al-Maltī.”
(9) The words “may Allah be pleased with him” are omitted from (N) and (M).