of the six directions belonging to the world. These formulations differ, but they all mean the same thing.”

I say:

His phrase, “of the six directions belonging to the world,” may be challenged on the basis of what he himself has established in this book and elsewhere. The world does not have six directions; it has only two: above and below. Rather, the six directions pertain to animals, such as human beings and other creatures. An animal heads in a direction and comes to be in front of it, or leaves it behind so that it lies behind the animal; other directions correspond to what is above and below it and to its right and left.

Had he simply said, “of the six directions,” and stopped there, this would have been better, since the six directions would then pertain to [human beings] and similar creatures. Alternatively, he could have said, “of the six directions [belonging to animals].” Nevertheless, the intent of his words is clear: he is stating his own claim and that of his fellow proponents of negation. These are the Jahmiyyah according to the early generations, the scholars of hadith, and their followers. For the first person to proclaim this doctrine, which is incompatible with Islam, to call others to it, and to gain followers upon it was “Jahm.” Thus, his purpose is to state his own claim and that of these proponents of negation alongside him;