188 — Ibn Makhlad narrated to us, saying: Abū Dāwūd narrated to us, saying: I heard Ahmad mention two men who had suspended judgment concerning the Quran and urged others to do likewise. He began praying against them and said to me, “These men are a grave trial.” He continued to speak disparagingly of them.

Abū Dāwūd said: I saw a man from Baghdad—one of those who, as I had heard, suspended judgment—greet Ahmad. Ahmad addressed him harshly, saying, “Go away! Let me not see you coming to my door!” He did not return his greeting ﵇ and said to him, “How greatly you need to be treated as Umar ibn al-Khattāb treated Sabīgh!” He then entered his house and shut the door.