and dispelled the confusion surrounding what they had distorted and disguised. Through this, Allah guided and directed aright. The most discerning of his opponents among the innovators saw that his exposition was clear and his words plain and searing. They therefore diligently sought out his books and writings, distorting them and washing away their text, lest the flaws in their innovations become apparent and the ugly underpinnings of their specious arguments be exposed. They tracked down these works and spent money on them, striving to reduce their number until they became scarce and difficult to obtain. Yet what Allah preserved of them for the people of truth contains illuminating exposition and radiant light. They therefore found what remained sufficient to give them insight into what had been lost.

I then searched through the books of his that I could find, the accounts I found the shaykhs had transmitted from him, and those of his doctrines that had become widely known. I gathered all this material, arranged it by topic, and traced it to his books—may Allah have mercy on him—and to the books of our scholars and shaykhs—may Allah be pleased with them. I also answered certain subsidiary questions that arose after him from the foundational principles of his doctrine, proceeding according to his well-known principles and rules. In some sections, I presented his discussion in full and pointed out subtle points bearing on the topic, drawing attention to his methods of reasoning and arguing in support of the truth. Thus, alongside an account of his doctrines, there would also be an account of his methods in certain questions, in vigorously championing the truth,