one but Allah knows.

As for the heretics among the Shi'a—the esoteric Qarmatians, the Ismā'īlīs, the Nusayrīs, and others like them—their true nature is too evident to escape anyone acquainted with their condition who has any measure of faith in Allah and His Messenger. Hence, many people from every group that faces the qiblah have exposed their secrets and torn away their veils, including even the Shi'a, the Mu'tazilīs, and others like them. They unanimously declare them unbelievers, just as the imams of the Sunnah and those affiliated with them, including speculative theologians who affirm the divine attributes and others, unanimously declare them unbelievers.

Judge Abū Bakr composed his well-known book about them. Their scandalous practices were described by Judge 'Abd al-Jabbār, Judge Abū Ya'lā, Abū al-Wafā' ibn 'Aqīl, Abū Hāmid al-Ghazālī, al-Shahrastānī, al-Khubūshānī, and numerous other scholars. These scholars discussed the Ubaydids who ruled in the Maghreb and Egypt, claimed descent from 'Alī, and concealed their doctrine. They spoke of them in terms that made clear