is the speech of Allah, and the speech of Allah is uncreated. What is heard, they said, is the sound itself, and sound is likewise uncreated. Among them were those who declared it eternal, others who denied its eternity, some who claimed that both the Lord’s voice and the servant’s voice are heard, and others who insisted that only the Lord’s voice is heard. Again, within their own ranks were people who affirmed its eternity, and others who asserted that what is heard comes only from the servant.

Among these latter groups, some said, “If the Lord produces a sound, He dwells within the servants,” thus imitating the Christians. Others replied, “Rather, we say He manifests in them without indwelling.” Still others maintained, “Neither of these formulations may be stated outright.”

All of these opinions are unprecedented innovations; not a single Companion, nor any of their Successors who followed them with excellence, nor any leading imam of the Muslims—such as Malik or al-Thawri—ever uttered any of them.