except to the disbelievers among the polytheists and the People of the Book, not to the Muslims.

Eighth: The hadiths themselves state that when the Muslims prostrate themselves before Him, only the believers who used to prostrate of their own accord in this world will be able to do so. The hypocrites, however, will be unable to prostrate. Other hadiths state that afterward they will be given light in proportion to their deeds—hypocrites and believers alike—although the hypocrites’ lights will subsequently be extinguished. Then they will cross the Bridge: some will escape unharmed, suffering no injury; some will escape with scratches, suffering from its scorching heat; and some will be hurled into the Fire of Hell—these are those who will be punished. Thus, punishment and severity occur only after all this, when they cross the Bridge. How, then, can it be said that His first coming, in a form other than His form which they recognize, means the coming of His punishment and might, when none of that has yet occurred?

Ninth: These people interpret His uncovering His shin as the manifestation of severity. Yet these very hadiths state that when He comes to them in the form which they recognize, He uncovers His shin for them, and they prostrate themselves before Him. Thus, if they interpret His coming in the form which they recognize as the manifestation of His mercy and honour, this would be a form of