and dispute in this area, including the question of “faith”—whether it is created or uncreated—and the questions of the “light of faith,” “guidance,” and similar matters over which the scholars of hadith and the Sunnah frequently disagree. Each group clings to part of the truth, until they become like those who were given a portion of the Scripture yet differed over it, each resembling someone who believes in part and disbelieves in part. Most of them are beset by ignorance and injustice: ignorance of the true nature of faith and truth, and injustice toward others. These disputes lead members of the Muslim community to declare one another unbelievers and curse one another, delighting Satan and angering the Most Merciful. Those who do this fall into the division and disagreement Allah has forbidden, departing from the unity and harmony He has commanded.

The root of this is the close connection between what Allah Most High has sent down of the Quran and faith—which pertains to His attributes—and the actions and attributes of His servants. Because distinguishing between them is difficult, some people incline toward excessive affirmation, while others incline toward excessive negation.

For this reason, the position of Imam Ahmad and the great imams was to prohibit blanket affirmation and blanket negation. Rather, one may refrain from both—which is more appropriate for people at large and constitutes the broad outlines of belief. Precise, well-founded distinctions, however, are for believers who possess knowledge, just as the former approach is for believers generally.

This question rests on two foundational principles: