Ishaq ibn Ibrahim al-Baghawi said, “I heard Ahmad say, ‘Whoever asserts that the Qur’an is created is a disbeliever.’

Salamah ibn Shabib likewise heard Ahmad make this declaration, and the report from him is mass-transmitted.

Abu Ismaʿil al-Tirmidhi said, “I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal say, ‘Whoever claims that the Qur’an is originated is a disbeliever.’

Ismaʿil ibn al-Hasan al-Sarraj related, “I asked Ahmad about a person who says, ‘The Qur’an is created.’ He replied, ‘He is a disbeliever.’ I then asked about one who says, ‘My recitation of the Qur’an is created,’ and he answered, ‘He is a Jahmi.’”

Salih ibn Ahmad recounted: “News reached my father that Abu Talib was reporting that he (my father) had said, ‘My recitation of the Qur’an is uncreated.’ I informed my father of this and he asked, ‘Who told you?’ I answered, ‘So-and-so.’ He said, ‘Send for Abu Talib.’ I summoned him, and Furan came with him. My father said to Abu Talib, ‘Did I ever tell you: My recitation of the Qur’an is uncreated?!’ He became angry and started to tremble. He said, ‘I recited to you, “Say, He is Allah, One” (Qur’an 112:1), and you said to me, “This is not created.”’ My father replied, ‘Then why did you quote me as saying, “My recitation of the Qur’an is uncreated”? I have heard that you wrote this to some people—erase it and write to them that I never said that to you.’

Furan began apologising, and Abu Talib withdrew, admitting that he had made the statement and wrote to the people, saying, ‘I erred concerning Abu ʿAbd Allah.’

I say: The established position is that Abu ʿAbd Allah used to say, ‘Whoever declares, “My recitation of the Qur’an is uncreated,” is an innovator, and whoever declares, “My recitation of the Qur’an is created,” is a Jahmi.’ Thus, may Allah have mercy on him, he would utter neither of the two formulas. Sometimes he clarified the issue, saying, ‘Whoever says, “My recitation of the Qur’an is created,” intending thereby the Qur’an itself, is a Jahmi.’