200—Ubayd Allah ibn Muhammad informed us. He said: Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Zayd narrated to us. He said: My father narrated to us. He said: Abu Uthman al-Azdi narrated to us. He said: Sulayman al-Taymi narrated to us; Abu Uthman al-Nahdi narrated to me, from Abu Umamah al-Bahili, who said:

“No polytheism has ever arisen except that its beginning was denial of the divine decree; and no community has ever fallen into polytheism except that its beginning was denial of the divine decree. O community, you will surely be tested by them. So, if you encounter them, do not enable them to engage you in debate, lest they cast doubts upon you.”