against him to attribute these books to him.

Others say that he in fact retracted those views, since it is firmly established that elsewhere he expressed the opposite of what he says in these books, and that he died while studying al-Bukhārī and Muslim.

Certainly, extraordinary events may occur for the friends of Allah, such as a plant turning into gold. But this does not occur through the methods of alchemy involving natural processes. The difference between the two is like the difference between Moses’ staff and the magicians’ staffs: the former was a serpent moving swiftly, whereas the latter merely appeared to him, through their magic, to be moving.

In short, the fact that some people associated with learning and worship have believed alchemy to be genuine and lawful proves nothing. Only a fool would invoke the opinion of a group of scholars and worshippers when they are opposed by others whom the Muslim community regards as greater and more eminent. If following scholarly authority is itself proof, then those who are greater, more learned and more devoted to worship have a stronger claim to be followed. If it is not proof, then citing these people is of no benefit. Either way, this proves nothing.

It should suffice him that the best generations of this community—those among whom the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sent, and those who followed them—never engaged in any of this. Had it been lawful, they would have engaged in it just as they engaged in other permissible activities. They earned wealth through various means, and earning wealth and spending it in obedience to Allah is a righteous deed.

It is authentically reported in al-Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Every Muslim must give charity.
They asked, ‘What if someone has nothing to give?’ He replied: