is an innovator and a wicked man. He is not to be spoken to or associated with, and people must be warned against him. The scholars know no position other than what we have already mentioned: the Quran is the uncreated speech of Allah. Whoever says that it is created has disbelieved. Whoever says, “The Quran is the speech of Allah,” and goes no further is a Jahmī; and whoever says, “My utterance of the Quran is created,” is likewise a Jahmī. This is what Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, and he spoke with utmost severity concerning it.

The same applies to anyone who says, “This Quran which people recite and which is contained in the written copies of the Quran is a representation of what is in the Preserved Tablet.” This is an objectionable doctrine rejected by the scholars. The person who espouses it is to be told: “The Quran proves you false and refutes your claim, and the sunnah proves you false and refutes your claim.”

Allah Most High said: “If any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the speech of Allah” [al-Tawba: 6]. Allah Most High thus informed us that people hear the speech of Allah itself; He did not say, “a representation of the speech of Allah.”

Allah Most High also said: “When the Quran is recited, listen attentively to it and remain silent, so that you may