al-Khallāl still narrated from him, and he even transmitted additional reports from him in his Compendium.1

He—may Allah have mercy on him—then said:

Among the proofs confirming the authenticity of this book is what Qāḍī Abū al-Ḥusayn, the son of Qāḍī Abū Yaʿlā, mentioned. He said:

“I read in the book of Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Ṣāliḥ ibn Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, who stated: ‘I read this book to Abū Ṣāliḥ ibn Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, and he said: “This is a work my father composed while he was in prison2, refuting those who build their argument on the Quran’s outward wording while neglecting what the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—has explained and what must be followed.3”’”