By his earlier statement, “And the purpose of this division … etc.,” the writer revealed his aim in rejecting the division of tawhīd (monotheism) into categories: to defend those who attach themselves to prophets and saints by invoking and petitioning them in the name of tawassul (seeking a means of drawing near to Allah). We have already encountered his statement: “Merely calling out, seeking deliverance or assistance, fearing, hoping, seeking a means of approach, or humbling oneself is not termed worship,” and his statement: “Supplication is only worship when it is directed to Allah or to someone whom the supplicant believes to possess an attribute of divine lordship.” For detailed answers refuting these people’s specious arguments and exposing their misguidance, see Qāʿidah Jalīlah fī al-Tawassul wa-al-Wasīlah (A Sublime Principle on Seeking Nearness to Allah and Its Means) by Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, Kashf al-Shubuhāt (Dispelling Doubts) by Shaykh al-Islām Muhammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb, and other scholarly works.
- The writer says on p. 14:
“And Ibn Taymiyyah says, as is established in his books and is well known: ‘We describe Allah only as He has described Himself.’ We therefore say to him: If you describe Allah only as He has described Himself, why do you affirm Allah’s settling on the back of a mosquito—exalted is He above what you say—and deem it possible? Is this tawhīd concerning His names and attributes, O shaykh of Harrān?! Is this something with which Allah has described Himself?!
Ibn Taymiyyah said in his book al-Taʾsīs fī Radd Asās al-Taqdīs (Establishing the Foundation in Refutation of The Foundation of Sanctification) (1/568): ‘Had Allah willed, He would have settled on the back of a mosquito, and it would have borne Him through His power and the subtlety of His lordship. How much more so upon a mighty Throne!’ End of quotation.
Is it, then, pure monotheism, O shaykh of Harrān—and you who fanatically champion his aberrant views—to deem it possible for the Lord of the worlds—glorified and exalted is He above what you describe—to settle on the back of a fly or a mosquito?! Even idol worshippers and polytheists were too ashamed to describe their gods in such terms!!”
He repeated similar statements on p. 43.