anything other than Allah. Since the author of al-Ta’sīs and others like him belonged to the second category, they made Him like things that are utterly nonexistent. Hence it is said of them: the speculative theologians of the Jahmiyyah worship nothing—this is the utmost negation—while their Sufis worship everything—this is the utmost association of partners with Allah.

For this reason, the scholars of Islam and the Sunnah have stated that the first to introduce this negation into Islam were the Jahmiyyah. It has no basis in the religion of the Muslims or of anyone else. Rather, what is found in the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger, and the words of the early generations of this community and its leading scholars is the denial that His limit can be perceived or that He can be fully encompassed. As the Most High says:

“Vision cannot encompass Him.” [al-An‘ām 103]

One of the early generations said to someone who asked him about these matters, “Do you not see the sky?” He replied, “Yes.” He asked, “Do you see all of it?” He replied, “No.” He said, “Then Allah is