Among the statements of Shaykh al-Barbahari is his saying: “Beware the lesser newly-invented matters, for small innovations grow into great ones. Speculative speech about the Lord is a novelty, an innovation, and misguidance. We therefore speak of Him only with what He has used to describe Himself; we do not ask of His attributes, ‘Why?’ nor ‘How?’ The Quran is the speech of Allah—His revelation and His light—uncreated; disputation concerning it is disbelief. (1)

Ibn Batta (2) said: “I heard al-Barbahari say, ‘Sitting together for sincere counsel opens the door to benefit, whereas sitting for debate closes the door to benefit.’ (3)

“I also heard him say, when the pilgrims were taken captive (4): ‘My people, if their release required assistance of one hundred thousand dinars, and another hundred thousand dinars, and another hundred thousand dinars’—he repeated it five times—‘I would aid them.’”

Ibn Batta added: “Had he wished, he could have raised that sum from the people.”

Abu al-Husayn ibn al-Farra’ said: “Al-Barbahari engaged in many struggles and attained lofty stations in the religion, but his opponents kept hardening the ruler’s heart against him. (5)

Thus, in the year 321 AH they sought to imprison him, so he went into hiding, and the leading members of his circle were arrested,