I say: Allah knows best whether these words are authentically attributed to al-Hallāj, for the chain of transmission includes someone whose standing I do not know. I have seen many writings, sayings, and letters attributed to al-Hallāj that are undoubtedly falsely ascribed to him. Although much of what is reliably transmitted from him contains unsound and confused ideas, they have burdened him with more than he actually said. Anyone wishing to introduce extravagant utterances and outrageous statements has come to attribute them to al-Hallāj, because such things are more readily associated with him than with others, and because some people who revere awe-inspiring obscurities hold such statements in high regard.

If these words are authentically his, their sound meaning is the rejection of the doctrine of union and indwelling into which a group of Sufis fell and which was attributed to al-Hallāj. These words would thus constitute al-Hallāj’s refutation of those who uphold union and indwelling, and this is sound and acceptable. Interpreting them in accordance with Abū al-Qāsim’s view of the divine attributes, however, does not fit the wording.

It may also be said that these words contain their share of extravagant utterances. Those possessed of knowledge have always censured the extravagant utterances in which a group of Sufis indulged; indeed, Abū Hāmid discussed this in his Ihyāʾ and elsewhere. Such utterances fall into two categories: those that constitute wrongdoing and transgression, even if this is wrongdoing of the kind committed by disbelievers; and those that constitute ignorance and delirious nonsense. Man is indeed given to wrongdoing and ignorance.

Abū Hāmid said: “As for extravagant utterances, by this we mean two kinds of speech