, subdivision, composition, and combination. They describe them as corporealists on this basis, because they affirm attributes that count as bodies in their opponents’ terminology.

As for the term “part,” a transmitted report has been related concerning it; some Hanbalīs use the term, while others reject it. Nevertheless, among the Hanbalīs are groups who inwardly deny the reality of these attributes conveyed in revelation, just as others do. Some reinterpret them, considering such reinterpretation either obligatory or permissible, as do those among the later Ashʿarīs and similar groups who deny the attributes and reinterpret the texts. Others negate what these expressions signify and consign their meaning to Allah, as do groups among these people and others. They call this the way of the early generations, as al-Mu’assis and others have done. Among them and others are also groups who neither affirm nor deny anything concerning these attributes. Rather, they repeat the wording of the revealed texts concerning them and refrain from affirming or denying these meanings, either out of doubt or because they turn away from considering the matter. We have explained the positions held by these people and others in [another] place.

The purpose of this book, however, is to discuss the arguments he has presented for