and was given to disputation and theological debate. Most of his discourse concerned Allah. He encountered some polytheists known as the Sumaniyyah. They recognized Jahm and said to him, ‘We will debate you. If our argument prevails over yours, you will embrace our religion; and if your argument prevails over ours, we will embrace yours.’

Among the things they said to Jahm was, ‘Do you not claim that you have a god?’

Jahm replied, ‘Yes.’

They asked, ‘Have you seen your god?’

He replied, ‘No.’

They asked, ‘Have you heard him speak?’

He replied, ‘No.’