What we have stated thus establishes that invoking the name in isolation is not recommended, let alone being the remembrance of the elect. Still further removed is invoking the “pronominal name,” namely “He.” By itself, this does not designate anyone in particular; its referent depends on something mentioned or known that explains it. Its meaning therefore depends on the speaker’s purpose and intention. Thus, someone who believes that the Real is absolute existence may use it in remembrance.

He may say, “There is no He but He,” while his heart drifts into “the oneness of existence” and the doctrine of Pharaoh, the Ismā‘īlīs, and the heretics among these latter-day Sufis, so that his saying “He” is equivalent to saying “His existence.” By saying, “There is no He but He,” he may mean that He is existence, that there is no creation whatsoever, and that the Lord and the servant, the Real and creation, are one and the same—as I have explained elsewhere when discussing the doctrine of the Ittihādiyya (adherents of union).

Among the causes of these corrupt beliefs and spiritual states is departure from the law and the way with which the Messenger was sent to us, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Religious innovations are the beginnings of disbelief and places where it is likely to arise, just as the prescribed sunnahs are manifestations of faith and strengthen it. Faith increases through obedience and decreases through disobedience, as Allah has told us of its increase in such verses as His saying:

“Those to whom people said, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them,’ but this increased them in faith.”

And His saying:

“Which of you has this increased in faith?”