that no rational person can avoid. At this point, the theologians said, ‘Since it has been established by proof that Allah is free of direction and corporeality, we must give these expressions occurring in the Quran and the reports a sound interpretation, lest they become grounds for impugning them.’ This concludes the discussion of the introduction. Success is through Allah.”

This may be addressed in several ways. First: The wording of the hadith cited from Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him), as narrated by Muslim in his Sahīh, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn Rabāh, from Ubayy ibn Kaʿb, is as follows. He said: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked, ‘O Abū al-Mundhir, do you know which verse in the Book of Allah is the greatest?’ I replied, ‘Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all.’ Then he struck me on the chest and said, ‘May you rejoice in your knowledge