saying, “Only what is created can be within a created thing,” thereby negating the Quran. It cannot escape people of understanding that the words of their predecessors and those of their successors are like the thread in a colour-changing toy.

Listen now, people of understanding, and consider what advantage these have over those. Those said—may Allah condemn their assertion—“Allah exists everywhere.” These, however, say, “He is not in any place, nor can He be described in terms of ‘where.’” Yet the one who conveyed Allah’s message said to the slave girl of Mu‘āwiyah ibn al-Hakam—may