What is the veracity of the stories of the "Sakhrah" (the rock) mentioned by Luqmaan to his son as quoted by Allaah in Soorah 31 verse 16 of the Quran, it not being in the heavens or on earth? These stories are sited by Al-Baghawee and others.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Some interpreters of the Quran related some stories from some scholars which they know that they have taken from the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians). Such stories should neither be accepted as true nor belied because the Prophet said: "There is no harm to relate about the children of Israel." [Abu Daawood and Albaani classified it as authentic]

Furthermore, Abu Namlah Al-Ansaari narrated that while he was sitting with the Prophet a Jewish man came to him and asked: "O Muhammad, does this dead body speak?" The Prophet replied: "Allaah knows best." The Jewish man said: "I bear witness that it speaks." Thereupon, the Prophet said (to the companions): "If the people of the Book relate to you, do not believe in what they say and do not belie what they say, but say instead "We believe in Allaah, in His Books, and in His Prophets", if what they said is the truth, then you did not belie it and if what they said is not true, then you did not believe them." [Shu'ayb Al-Arna'oot said: its chain of narration is sound]

Ibn Katheer commented in his interpretation on what Imaam Al-Baghawi mentioned, saying: 'Some scholars claimed that the meaning of the word "rock" in the Saying of Allaah (which means): {[And Luqmaan said], “O my son, indeed if it [i.e. a wrong] should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allaah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allaah is Subtle and Well-Aware.}[Quran 31:16], is a rock under the seven earths. This is what As-Suddi stated from Ibn Mas'ood, Ibn 'Abbaas and a group of scholars if it is true that they said so. This is also reported from 'Atiyyah Al-'Awfi, Abu Maalik, Ath-Thawri, Al-Minhaal Ibn 'Amr and others . It appears-Allaah Knows best-that this is taken from the Israelites stories which we can neither belie nor believe in.

To conclude, what is meant, Allaah knows best, is that this seed, no matter how tiny it is, even if it is inside a rock, Allaah will bring it forth with His Absolute Knowledge.'

Allaah Knows best.