the speculative theology practiced by the people of innovation, for in their time it was only the people of innovation who were known for speculative theology. As for the adherents of the Sunnah, they rarely engaged in it until they were later compelled to do so.”

Ibn ‘Asākir said:

“As for al-Shāfi‘ī’s statement, so-and-so informed us—

and he cited the following from Manāqib al-Shāfi‘ī (The Virtues of al-Shāfi‘ī) by ‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Abī Hātim:

‘Yūnus ibn ‘Abd al-A‘lā narrated to us: I heard al-Shāfi‘ī say, “For a person to be afflicted with everything Allah has forbidden—except associating partners with Him—is better for him than speculative theology. Indeed, I have encountered among speculative theologians something I never imagined a Muslim would say.”’

Ibn Abī Hātim said: ‘Ahmad ibn Asram al-Muzanī narrated to us: Abū Thawr said: I heard al-Shāfi‘ī say, “No one who cloaked himself in speculative theology ever prospered.”’