Likewise, Muhammad ibn Jarīr al-Tabarī mentioned in his History—though he related this without a chain of transmission, and Allah knows best the truth of it—that during the inquisition, al-Ma’mūn’s letter calling people to adopt Jahmī doctrine was read out to the scholars of Baghdad. It included the statement, “He does not resemble things in any respect whatsoever.” Some assented to this, but Ahmad said, “I do not say, ‘He does not resemble things in any respect whatsoever.’”

This demonstrates the thoroughness of his knowledge, his recognition of doctrines incompatible with the religion of Islam, and his care to avoid them. Yet many people use this expression intending to deny exact likeness, and their intended meaning is sound. Others may intend something that combines truth and falsehood, or an unqualified affirmation of transcendence without clearly grasping its meaning. These people do not intend the actual meaning of the Jahmīs’ doctrine. Further evidence of this is that