As for the invalid arguments advanced by the heretics, the Jahmiyya who deny the divine attributes, the Dahriyya, and others like them—such as those found in the writings of later authors who discuss innovated speculative theology and the doctrines of those who profess philosophy, claiming these to be rational arguments—they contain ignorance, contradiction, and error beyond the reckoning of anyone but the Lord of all servants. These people have been discussed at length elsewhere. Among the causes of their misguidance was both groups’ negligence or inability to understand what the Messenger brought, the way of the early generations, and sound reason.

For the former is the Book, and the latter the Balance. The Most High said:

“We certainly sent Our messengers with clear proofs and sent down with them the Scripture and the Balance so that people might uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which there is great might and benefits for people, so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful, Almighty.”

The present discussion does not permit a detailed treatment of these matters. The purpose here is merely to point out that these disputing groups agreed upon a false premise and then diverged. They agreed in identifying the very attribute of the Lord, the Creator, with the very attribute of the creature.

Then one group said: “The creature’s attribute is created; therefore, the Lord’s attribute is created.” The other said: “The Lord’s attribute is eternal; therefore, the creature’s attribute is eternal.” Each group then had to pursue its premise to its logical conclusion, arriving at manifestly erroneous positions. Those who deny the divine attributes came to hold that Allah did not speak the Quran or any of the divine scriptures—neither the Torah, nor the Gospel, nor any other—and that He did not