and in matters over which we differ, we rely on the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, the consensus of the Muslims, and whatever is of like import. We introduce no innovation into Allah’s religion that He has not permitted, nor do we say about Allah what we do not know.

We affirm that Allah comes on the Day of Resurrection, as He says:

“And your Lord comes, and the angels, rank upon rank.” {22} [al-Fajr 22]

And that Allah draws near to His servants however He wills, as He, glorified be He, says:

“We are closer to him than his jugular vein.” {16} [Qāf 16]

And as He says:

“Then he drew near and descended, {8} and was two bow-lengths away or nearer.” {9} [al-Najm 8-9]

We hold as part of our religion that we should offer Friday and Eid prayers behind any imam, whether righteous or otherwise, and likewise all other prayers and congregational prayers—as it is related that Abd Allāh ibn Umar used to pray behind al-Hajjāj—and that