and he replied, “It is certainty.” The questioner said, “Explain to me what it is.” He replied, “It is your knowing that the movements and stillness of created beings are the act of Allah alone, without partner. Once you have done this, you have affirmed His oneness.”’”

He said: “I heard Muhammad ibn al-Husayn say: I heard ʿAbd al-Wāhid ibn ʿAlī say: I heard al-Qāsim ibn al-Qāsim say: I heard Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Wāsitī say: I heard Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Jawharī say: I heard Dhū al-Nūn al-Misrī speaking when a man came to him and said, ‘Pray to Allah for me.’ He replied, ‘If, in the knowledge of the unseen, you have been aided in sincerely affirming Allah’s oneness, then how many answered supplications have already preceded you! Otherwise, calling out does not benefit the drowning.’”

He said: “Al-Wāsitī said, ‘Pharaoh claimed lordship openly, while the Muʿtazilah claimed it covertly. They say, “Whatever I will,