an innovation, they go to greater lengths in answering it.’ He also said, ‘Whoever responded to them with an innovation must seek his Lord’s forgiveness.’ He disapproved of anyone responding with such theological discourse without a precedent from an earlier imam.”

Al-Marwadhī said:

“It was not long before Ahmad ibn ‘Alī arrived from ‘Ukbarā, bringing a copy and a letter from the people of ‘Ukbarā (*). I took Ahmad ibn ‘Alī in to see Abū ‘Abd Allāh. He said, ‘Abū ‘Abd Allāh, here is the treatise. Give it to Abū Bakr so that he may tear it up. I will stand in the pulpit of ‘Ukbarā and seek Allah’s forgiveness.’ Abū ‘Abd Allāh said to me, ‘You should accept this from him and restore your ties with him.’”

Al-Marwazī said:

“I heard one of the elders say: ‘I heard ‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Mahdī say: “Sufyān al-Thawrī disapproved of the expression ‘compelled’ and said, ‘Allah Most High moulded His servants’ nature.’”’”

Al-Marwadhī said:

“I think he was referring to what the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to al-Ashajj of ‘Abd al-Qays.”

I say: These matters are discussed at length elsewhere. The purpose here is simply to point out that the early generations adhered to the wording of the Quran and hadith in what they affirmed or denied concerning Allah’s attributes and actions. They did not introduce newly coined, innovated expressions into their affirmations and negations. Rather, every sound meaning is encompassed by what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, conveyed.

Innovated expressions have no fixed standard governing their usage. Each group intends by them a meaning different from that intended by others—as with the expressions “body,” “direction,” “spatial location,” “compulsion,” and the like. This is unlike the Messenger’s expressions: his intended meaning can be known, just as his intended meaning in all his other expressions can be known. If a person knew his intended meaning, he would be obliged to believe what he said in general terms. Even if a sound meaning were posited—and the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had not spoken