engage in vain discourse about Our revelations, turn away from them until they turn to another subject.”

Whoever speaks about Allah, His names, and His attributes in a manner contrary to the Book and the Sunnah is among those who engage in false discourse about Allah’s revelations. Many of these people attribute to the leading Muslim scholars statements they never made. They ascribe to al-Shāfiʿī, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Mālik, and Abū Hanīfah beliefs they never professed, telling their followers, “This is the belief of such-and-such an imam.” Yet when asked to produce authentic reports from these imams, their falsehood becomes apparent.

Al-Shāfiʿī said:

“My judgment concerning the practitioners of speculative theology is that they should be beaten with palm stalks and sandals and paraded among the tribes and clans, while it is proclaimed: ‘This is the recompense of whoever abandons the Book and the Sunnah and turns to speculative theology.’”

Abū Yūsuf, the judge, said:

“Whoever seeks religion through speculative theology becomes a heretic.”

Ahmad said:

“No one who has cloaked himself in speculative theology has ever prospered.”

Some scholars said:

“The one who denies Allah’s attributes worships nonexistence, while the one who likens Him to His creation worships an idol. The former is blind, and the latter dim-sighted. Allah’s religion lies between those who go to excess in it and those who neglect it.”

Allah Most High has said:

“Thus We have made you a justly balanced nation.”

The Sunnah’s place within Islam is like Islam’s place among the religions. Here it ends. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds.