about the Quran?’ He refused to answer him. He then asked Yūsuf ibn ‘Amr, who also gave him no answer. Both directed him to al-Shāfi‘ī. He questioned al-Shāfi‘ī and argued his case against him, and their debate grew lengthy. Al-Shāfi‘ī established the proof against him that the Quran is the speech of Allah, uncreated, and declared Hafs al-Fard an unbeliever.

Al-Rabī‘ said: ‘Afterwards, I met Hafs in the mosque, and he said, “Al-Shāfi‘ī wanted me killed.”’”

It is also related that al-Shāfi‘ī said:

“I have never debated anyone wishing him to err, except an adherent of religious innovation, for I wish his true nature to be exposed to people.”

Al-Bayhaqī said: “By these words, al-Shāfi‘ī meant only Hafs al-Fard and others like him among the adherents of religious innovation. This was likewise his intent in all the statements reported from him condemning speculative theology and its practitioners. Some transmitters, however, reported his condemnation without qualification, while others qualified it.”