for us was when he said to us, “What do you say about Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him?”

We replied, “Which Jesus, Commander of the Faithful?”

He said, “Jesus son of Mary.”

We replied, “Allah’s Messenger.”

He said, “And His word?”

We replied, “Yes.”

He said, “What do you say about someone who says that Jesus is not Allah’s word?”

We replied, “An unbeliever, Commander of the Faithful.”

He then asked us, “Is Jesus not Allah’s word?”

We replied, “Indeed he is.”

He said, “Is he created or uncreated?”

We replied, “Created.”

He said, “And someone who claims that he is uncreated?”

We replied, “An unbeliever, Commander of the Faithful.”

He said, “What do you say about the Quran?”

We replied, “The speech of Allah, Mighty and Majestic.”

He said, “Created or uncreated?”

We replied, “Uncreated.”

He said, “And someone who claims that it is created?”

We replied, “An unbeliever.”

He said, “And someone who claims that Jesus is uncreated, although he is Allah’s word?”

We replied, “An unbeliever.”

He said, “Glory be to Allah! Jesus is Allah’s word, and whoever denies that he is created is an unbeliever! The Quran is Allah’s word, and whoever affirms that it is created is an unbeliever!”’”

Al-Husayn said:

“I explained to him what ought to be said, and told him, ‘Al-Makkī used to visit you and say to you, “I know things about this subject that you do not know. Learn them from me.” But your standing as leaders led you to neglect this. He would also tell you, “What you learn from me will be an arsenal you can keep ready against your opponents. If they attack, you will not need to seek weapons; and if your opponents do not appear, preparing that arsenal will do you no harm,”