for him what He has prohibited to the believers—save only for one who is compelled in a situation where preserving life is mandatory—then, regardless of the level of knowledge or worship that person may have attained, such a claim constitutes disbelief in Allah. Whoever speaks in this manner is uttering sheer atheism; they are people who have divested themselves of the religion.

Among the matters we hold is that the term ʿishq (passionate, erotic love) must never be applied to Allah. He clarified that this is impermissible both because of the word’s linguistic derivation and because the revealed law never employs it. He said: the least that can be said of doing so is that it is an innovation and a deviation, and the explicit references Allah has made to His “love” (maḥabba) are wholly sufficient.

We also believe that Allah does not indwell in visible things, and that He alone possesses the perfection of His Names.