He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. The Quran is the speech of Allah, revealed and uncreated, so it is not to be likened to created beings. The wording cited has not been transmitted.”

Among the reports they attribute to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is:

“I am of the Arabs, but the Arabs are not of me.”

He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. These are not the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.”

Among the reports they also attribute to him is:

“O Allah, let me live poor, cause me to die poor, and gather me among the poor.”

He replied:

“This is reported, but it is weak and has not been reliably established. Its meaning is: ‘Let me live submissive and humble.’ However, the wording has not been reliably established.”

Among the reports they attribute to him, peace and blessings be upon him, is that he said:

“When you hear a hadith attributed to me, compare it with the Book and the Sunnah. If it agrees with them, relate it; if it does not, do not.”

He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. This is reported, but it is weak according to several imams, including al-Shāfiʿī and others.”

Among the reports they attribute to him, peace and blessings be upon him, is that he said:

“O Alī, get yourself a pair of iron sandals and wear them out in seeking knowledge, even in China.”

He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. Neither this nor that is among the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.”