transmitted their doctrines—scholars of the four schools, hadith scholars, speculative theologians, and Sufis. “I set out how this accords with the Book and sunnah, and how nothing in it is contradicted by reason. If Allah Most High unites the hearts of those gathered upon this, then praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. But if anyone opposes it, I would have something to say concerning the other person’s words. I would reveal the secrets, tear away the veils, explain whatever requires explanation, meet with the Sultan, and speak to him in other terms.”

It was a momentous day, witnessed by many, on which a great deal was made clear to those present through discussion and transmitted evidence. He discussed matters outside “al-Aqīdah al-Wāsitiyyah” (The Wāsitī Creed) when he brought them his response concerning the Quran and Allah’s being established over the Throne—questions he had been asked some twelve years earlier—and read passages from that response to them. They asked him about certain expressions in the response known as “al-Hamawiyyah” (The Hamā Response), and presented him with all the replies they had in mind. They said, “This is our question, and nothing further remains on our minds.” When the shaykh answered their questions, they agreed with him, and the gathering concluded on that basis.

He had told them, “Anyone who disagrees with anything I have said should write out his disagreement in his own hand and cite statements from the early generations concerning the point on which he disagrees. Alternatively, let each person write a creed, and let these creeds be submitted to those in authority, so that it may be determined which accords with the Book and sunnah.”

He also said, “Whoever brings even a single word from the early generations contrary to what I have stated, I will adopt it. I will bring the accounts transmitted by all the groups, showing that they have described the doctrine of the early generations just as I have set it out. I agree with the early generations