but (1) I have written replies for those who ask me, whether from the Egyptian territories or elsewhere.
It reached me that a letter had been forged in my name and dispatched to the amir Rukn al-Din al-Jashankir, the master of the Sultan’s household, (2) containing a distorted creed. I did not know its exact contents, yet I knew that it was a fabrication. (3)
People from Egypt and other regions used to write to me with questions about doctrine or other matters, and I would answer them (4) in accordance with the Quran, the sunnah, and the way of the early generations of the ummah.
He then said, “We want you to put your creed in writing for us.”
I replied, “Write.”
Shaykh Kamal al-Din (5) was therefore instructed to record it, and there was written (6) for him a concise statement of belief covering the divine attributes, predestination, issues of faith, the threat of punishment, leadership (7) of the Muslim community, and matters of precedence.
It affirmed that the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamaʿah is to believe in whatever Allah has described Himself with and whatever His Messenger ﷺ has described Him with, without distortion, negation, asking how, or likening Him to His creation; and that the Quran is the speech of Allah, not—