I said: "What have you heard regarding the words of God the Almighty: {The Compassionate [established] upon the Throne is established}1?" Just as he was about to answer, Lord Abu Shu’ayb — peace be upon him — approached. The group and Ishaq stood and offered him peace as was their custom. When he sat and they sat around him, the permission [to enter] was issued. It was said to Abu Shu’ayb: "Enter," and he entered. He was the first to enter the presence of our Master — exalted be his glory — and the last to leave, because he was the trustee of His estates and wealth, and the affair was delegated (mufawwad) to him outwardly and inwardly. Then He permitted us to enter; we entered and offered peace to our Master — exalted be his glory — and He permitted us to sit. We sat, then the Master said, knowing what we had been discussing: "O Muhammad ibn Ismail, repeat the question you asked Ishaq." So I repeated the words.
Ishaq said: "If the Master permits His servant to answer, I will say what I know." Our Master said to him: "We have permitted you, O Ishaq; answer the Hasani with what you have." Ishaq said: "It is when the Meaning — exalted be his glory — ascended upon the back of the Mim on the day of the Conquest of Mecca and threw the idols from atop the House, this verse was revealed, and it is Meccan: {The Compassionate [established] upon the Throne is established}2." The Master had been leaning back; He sat up straight while smiling, then turned toward Abu Shu’ayb.
He said: "O Abu Shu’ayb, {And Solomon did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved}3. Is this your statement regarding the matter?" Abu Shu’ayb replied: "My statement is what I learned from You, and it is my view and my belief; if You permit, I shall say that which You know better than I." The Master said to him: "At your leisure, O Abu Shu’ayb." Then He asked: "O Ishaq, from where did you learn this answer?" He replied: "I heard it from men who related it from Your grandfather al-Sadiq — exalted be his glory."