and he replied:

‘So that it becomes known among the people and the people of peace, and word spreads throughout the lands that I disavow what they follow—meaning the Ash‘arīs—and disavow the doctrine of Abū Bakr ibn al-Bāqillānī. For a number of students of jurisprudence from other lands secretly visit al-Bāqillānī and study under him, becoming captivated by his doctrine. When they return to their lands, they will inevitably proclaim their innovation, and someone may suppose that they had previously learned it from me. Yet I have never said it, and I disavow al-Bāqillānī’s doctrine and creed.’”’”

Shaykh Abū al-Hasan al-Karajī said:

“I heard my teacher, Imam Abū Mansūr, the jurist al-Asbahānī, say: ‘I heard our teacher, Imam Abū Bakr al-Zādhaqānī, say: “I attended Shaykh Abū Hāmid al-Isfarāyīnī’s lessons. He used to forbid his students from engaging in speculative theology or visiting al-Bāqillānī. He learned that several of his students were secretly visiting him to study speculative theology, and he supposed that I was accompanying them and was one of them.” He related an incident, at the end of which he said:

“Shaykh Abū Hāmid told me: ‘My son, I have heard that you visit this man—meaning al-Bāqillānī. Beware of him, for he is an innovator who calls people to misguidance. Otherwise, do not attend my lessons.’

I replied: ‘I seek refuge in Allah from what has been said, and I repent to Him. Bear witness that I will not visit him.’”’”