to him than his jugular vein’ (16) [Qāf 16], then know that all of this refers to His knowledge of him and power over him.”

He said: “The evidence for this is the beginning of the verse. Allah Most High says:

‘We have certainly created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein’ (16) [Qāf 16].

Because Allah knows what his soul whispers, He is nearer to him than his jugular vein, whereas the jugular vein does not know what the soul whispers. The heretic’s belief necessarily entails that the one he worships mingles with human blood and flesh, and that a human being cannot be described simply as ‘created’; rather, one must say ‘creator and created’. For, according to his claim, the one he worships is both inside the human being’s jugular vein and outside it. Thus, according to his own assertion, He is intermingled with him, not separate from him.”

He said: “The Muslims of Ahl al-Sunnah have unanimously agreed that Allah is above His Throne, separate from His creation. Exalted indeed is Allah above what those who deviate say