—just like the deviation of those who denied that He may be called al-Raḥmān, the All-Merciful: “When it is said to them, ‘Prostrate yourselves before the All-Merciful,’ they say, ‘And what is the All-Merciful? Shall we prostrate ourselves to that which you command us?’—and it only increases their aversion.” (1)

This is exactly how the leading Imams and others who transmitted their doctrines have described them (2).

Imam Aḥmad likewise said, in what he recorded in al-Radd ʿalā al-Jahmiyya (3):

“When it is said to them, ‘Whom (4) do you worship?’ they reply, ‘We worship the One who directs the affairs of this (5) creation.’ [We say (6): Then this One who directs the affairs of this creation] (7) is He unknown, with no attribute by which He is recognised?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ We say (8): ‘The Muslims have thus realised that you affirm nothing at all, (9) and that what you display is merely a device to ward off public censure.’ (10)

We also say (11) to them: ‘This One who directs the affair (12)—is He the One who spoke to Moses?’ They answer, ‘He has not spoken and does not speak, (13) for speech can only occur by means of an organ, and all organs (14) are negated with respect to Allah.’”