The point here is that those who follow their path use many expressions from the speech of Allah and His Messenger, intending by them what these people intend, not what Allah and His Messenger intend. This occurs in the writings of the author of al-Kutub al-Madnūn bihā (The Withheld Books) and others. Examples include his discussion of the “Preserved Tablet,” which he identifies with the celestial soul; the “Pen,” which he identifies with the First Intellect; and the terms malakūt, jabarūt, and mulk, which he takes to refer to the soul and the intellect. He likewise interprets “intercession” as an emanation flowing from the intercessor to the person seeking intercession, even though the intercessor may be unaware of it. In these and similar matters, he follows the approaches of Ibn Sīnā, as has been explained at length elsewhere.

The point here, however, is to discuss those who fall into this without carefully considering the language of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. One example is the term qadīm (old). In the language of the Messenger, in which the Quran was revealed, it means the opposite of new, even if something else preceded it. Thus Allah Most High says:

“Until it returns like an old date stalk.”

Allah Most High also relates the words of Joseph’s brothers:

“By Allah, you are indeed in your old error.”

And He says:

“Have you considered what you have been worshipping—you and your ancestors of old?”

Among the speculative theologians, however, qadīm denotes that which has always existed, or that which was not preceded by the existence of anything else, provided that it was not preceded by its own nonexistence. When this is what is meant by it, they classify its use as figurative. In the language of the Quran, the term muhdath (new) stands in contrast to the Quranic term qadīm (old).

Likewise, in the Quran, hadith, and Arabic usage generally, kalima (word) denotes a complete sentence, as in the saying of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Two utterances are beloved to the Most Merciful,