its interpretation (1), for in the Quran the verb jaʿala, when predicated of created beings, appears in two ways: one in the sense of naming (2) and the other in the sense of an action they actually perform, [and] (3) in His words, “those who have broken the Quran into fragments” (4). They said it is poetry, stories of the ancients, and muddled dreams; this is naming it so (6). He also says (7), “and they have made the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, females” (8) – [meaning: they called them females] (9).
Then He refers to jaʿala in a sense other than naming (10) when He says, “they thrust their fingers into their ears” (11); here the verb denotes an action of theirs (12). Likewise, His words, “until when he has made it a fire” (13) convey an action; this is jaʿala ascribed to created beings (14). Thereafter He speaks of jaʿala, when attributed to Allah, sometimes with the meaning of khalq (to create) and sometimes with another meaning
(1) In the autograph manuscript (S) the reading is: “he errs in their revelation and seeks discord in their interpretation.” In the two printed editions of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya it appears as: “he errs in its revelation…”. The reading adopted by edition T may be preferable, as it renders the passage coherent.
(2) In the autograph (S) the word is tasmiyya (naming). This is confirmed by edition T and both printed editions of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya. In the Cairo edition of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya, however, it appears as: “al-tasmiyya, which is the meaning of a verb…”, which is an error.
(3) The conjunction wa (and) is an addition found in both printed editions of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya, restoring the sense of the passage.
(4) Sura al-Hijr (15:91).
(5) In all manuscripts the reading is aw anba’ (or reports); this is confirmed by both printed editions of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya, and it restores the coherence of the text.
(6) See margin note (2) on this page.
(7) In S and T the phrase is wa qalu (and they said); in both printed editions of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya it appears as qala (he said).
(8) Sura al-Zukhruf (43:19).
(9) The text enclosed in parentheses is an addition found in S, T, and both printed editions of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya.
(10) In all manuscripts the reading is tasmiyya (naming); this is confirmed by both printed editions of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya.
(11) Sura al-Baqara (2:19).
(12) The word ma‘na (meaning) is omitted in the Cairo edition of al-Radd ‘ala al-Jahmiyya.
(13) Sura al-Kahf (18:96).
(14) From this point onward, the Shaykh has altered the text in such a way that no direct comparison is possible.