I therefore wrote what Allah enabled me to write to distinguish between these things. I strove to follow the path of the community of the middle way, who are witnesses over mankind, rather than the path of those who might exalt him beyond his due in matters of creed and Sufism, placing him above a way more complete and sound than what he described in knowledge, spiritual state, speech, action, belief and moderation; or those who might disparage him beyond what he deserves in these two matters, going to excess in condemning the speculative theologians or condemning the Sufi way altogether. Allah knows best.

What Abū al-Qāsim mentions includes fine and commendable teachings that must be believed and relied upon. It also includes ambiguous statements that both those who uphold truth and those who uphold falsehood draw upon; these two categories are close to one another. It contains weak reports and quotations from people who should not be followed in these matters; these latter two categories are to be rejected. It also contains statements to which he assigned a meaning their speakers did not themselves intend. Moreover, he quoted only a few of their statements, which do not adequately address this subject. Yet a great deal of authentic, explicit material has been transmitted from them on this subject, sufficient to satisfy those who follow them and seek to understand their principles. I have set down here some observations that clarify the matter.

Al-Qushayrī, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Know that the shaykhs of this group built