this path, whether Qarmatian philosophers or those who share some of their views. Even if such a person possesses elements of Islamic Sufism that distinguish him from a Qarmatian, he agrees with him in one respect and differs from him in another.

How aptly Shaykh al-Islām Abū Ismā‘īl al-Ansārī spoke of people better than these: “They took the soundest part of philosophy and clothed it in the outer husk of Islam.” It is just as he said: the outward appearance is that of a Muslim, and the language is that of a Muslim, but the knowledge and intent are neither the knowledge nor the intent of Muslims. Rather, this is the way of hypocritical heretics, enemies of the messengers, vermin gnawing at religions.

The fifth response addresses the very basis of their argument. They may be told: You sought