may under no circumstances be prohibited, unlike what is called the foundations of religion but is not truly so, whether in its proofs or its doctrinal questions. Or it may constitute the foundations of a religion that Allah has not prescribed, but which was prescribed by someone who introduced into religion what Allah has not authorized.

As for the Prophet’s prohibition mentioned by the questioner, the Book and Sunnah prohibit a number of things. These include speaking about Allah without knowledge, as in His saying:

“Say, ‘My Lord has forbidden only shameful deeds, whether openly or in secret, sin, unjust aggression, associating with Allah that for which He has sent down no authority, and saying about Allah what you do not know.’”

And His saying:

“Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge.”

They also include saying about Him anything other than the truth, as in His saying:

“Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they should say nothing about Allah except the truth?”

And His saying:

“Do not go to extremes in your religion, and say nothing about Allah except the truth.”

They also include disputing without knowledge, as in His saying:

“Here you are: you have argued about matters of which you have knowledge. Why, then, do you argue about matters of which you have no knowledge?”

They also include disputing the truth after it has become clear, as in His saying:

“They dispute with you concerning the truth after it has become clear.”

They also include arguing with falsehood, as in His saying:

“They argued with falsehood in order to overthrow the truth thereby.”

They also include disputing concerning His signs, as in His saying:

“None dispute concerning the signs of Allah except those who disbelieve.”

And His saying:

“Those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah without any authority having come to them—this is greatly hateful to Allah and to those who believe.”

And His saying:

“There is nothing in their hearts but pride, which they will never attain.”

And His saying:

“And that those who dispute concerning Our signs may know that they have no escape.”

A similar statement is His saying: “And those who dispute concerning Allah after a response has been given