198 – I said, “Tell me: if one of them were to die, or lose his sanity, would the remaining nine still have the right to pronounce a ruling?”

199 – He said, “Then, if you say: Yes…

200 – “…by the same token, were five to die—or even all nine—would the single survivor be entitled to speak?”

201 – He said, “And if you say: No…?”

202 – I replied, “Whichever answer you give, your position is contradictory!”

203 – He said, “Leave that aside.”

204 – I said, “I have found the practitioners of speculative theology (ahl al-kalām) spread across many lands; every faction appoints one of their own whose word is final for them and accords him the standing you have described. Are such men counted among the jurists whose verdicts are not accepted unless the whole body of jurists agrees with them, or are they outside that circle?”

205 – He said, “Then, if you say that they are included among them…?”

206 – I said, “State it plainly if you wish!”

207 – He said, “I have stated it.”

208 – He said, “What, then, is your view on wiping over leather socks?”

209 – He said, “If you were to say that no one may wipe, since whenever they differ I revert to the original ruling—and the original ruling is full ablution (wuḍūʾ)…

210 – I asked, “And is that what you would say about every matter?”

211 – He said, “Yes.”

202 – I asked, “And what about a previously-married adulterer—do you stone him?”

213 – He said, “Yes.”