and what Allah has declared in His Book, and making this the interpretation of the hadiths, while claiming thereby to refute the eternalists, philosophers, physicians, and those who liken Allah to His creation. Yet his denial of realities known through sense perception and reason has exposed his own reasoning to the ridicule of rational people. He has perverted Allah’s verses through his fabricated interpretations and claimed that the Messenger taught the denial of existing realities, even though his words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—could hardly be further removed from such absurdities.

As for the fifth interpretation, he says: “The word ‘image’ can be used to mean a description. People say, ‘I explained to him the form of this event,’ and ‘I described to him the form of this question.’ The intended meaning is that Allah Most High created Adam from the very outset complete and perfect in his knowledge and ability, or as one who was blessed, knowledgeable, and repentant.”

He should be told: The form is that which exists in external reality.