matters of divinity consists solely in drawing analogies with what they have found in the observable realm; they have no other method whatsoever.

The thirty-eighth point: The assertion that Allah is neither a body nor a substance, does not occupy space, and is neither within the world nor outside it, and similar assertions, were never the position of any of the early generations of this community or its imams. Nor do they have any basis in Allah’s revealed books or the transmitted teachings of His prophets. On the contrary, the condemnation of such discourse by the early generations and the imams, and their declaration that its proponents are innovators, are established through mass transmission. As Abū al-ʿAbbās ibn Surayj said:

“The monotheism professed by the people of knowledge and the Muslim community is: ‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ The monotheism of the people of falsehood consists in delving into accidents and bodies. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sent to denounce that.”

For the monotheism with which Allah sent His messengers is to worship Allah alone, without any partner. This is the meaning of the testimony that there is no god but Allah. It entails affirming His oneness in speech and belief, as well as in will and intention. As for delving into