who believes in Allah and His words”—namely, the Quran. And He said to Moses—peace be upon him: “I have chosen you above the people through My messages and My speech.” [al-Aʿrāf: 144]

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn said: There are many similar passages in the Quran. Allah Most High said: “Whoever disputes with you concerning him after the knowledge that has come to you…” [Āl ʿImrān: 61] And He Most High said: “If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would then certainly be among the wrongdoers.” [al-Baqarah: 145]

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah have mercy on him—said: Allah has always been Knowing, Speaking, Hearing, and Seeing through His attributes, even before He created all things. Whoever says otherwise has disbelieved. We shall cite traditions, reports, and statements of scholars whose mention inspires no unease—material which, when heard by a person of knowledge and reason, will increase him in knowledge and understanding. When someone whose heart harbors deviation hears it, then, if Allah wills to guide him to the path of truth, he will renounce his doctrine; but if he does not, the calamity upon him will be all the greater.