those who say that the Quran is created. He said: “Yahyā ibn ‘Āsim told me: ‘I was with my father when Bishr al-Marīsī asked permission to see him. I said to him, “Father, do you allow someone like this to visit you?” He replied, “My son, what is wrong with him?” I said, “He says that the Quran is created and that Allah is with him on earth. He denies intercession, the Bridge, the Scale, and Munkar, and says much else besides.” He said, “Woe to you! Bring him in to me.”

I brought him in, and my father began saying, “Woe to you, Bishr! Come closer!” He kept calling him closer until he was near him. Then he said, “Woe to you, Bishr! What are these things I hear you have been saying?” He replied, “What things, Abū al-Hasan?” My father said, “I have heard that you say the Quran is created and that Allah is with you on earth,” and mentioned many other things. Then he said, “Woe to you! Whom do you worship, and where is your Lord?”

He replied, “Abū al-Hasan, I did not come for this. I came only for you to read Khālid’s book to me.” My father said, “No! I shall show you neither favor nor honor until I know what you believe. Where is your Lord? Woe to you!” He replied, “Since you will not oblige me, Abū al-Hasan, my Lord is Light within light.” Then my father began inching towards him