the Saved Sect.” These works contain countless authentic reports from the early generations through which their positions can be known. Those unfamiliar with these reports—such as many speculative theologians, including this man and his like—present as the position of the early generations a position they do not know, reporting from people whose statements they do not know. They attribute to the early generations views of which they are innocent. Falsehoods are attributed to them in what is transmitted from them, just as falsehoods are attributed to the Messenger by making him say what he did not say or by speaking without knowledge, and to the Quran by distorting words from their proper places. This is the true nature of the heretics’ position: fabricating lies against Allah, His Messenger, and the believers. Allah Most High has said:

“Say, ‘My Lord has only forbidden shameful deeds, whether committed openly or in secret; sin; unjust aggression; associating with Allah that for which He has sent down no authority; and saying about Allah what you do not know.’” (33) [al-A‘rāf 33]

And Allah Most High has said:

“Indeed, those who took the calf for worship will incur wrath from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world. Thus do We recompense those who fabricate lies.” (152) [al-A‘rāf 152]