352—Abd al-Rahman mentioned it: Ahmad ibn Salamah narrated to us: Ishaq ibn Rahawayh said:

They ultimately came to claim that Allah’s names are created, because, they said, “He existed when there was no name.” This is outright disbelief, for to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names. Whoever separates Allah from His names, His knowledge, and His will, declaring all of these to be created while Allah is their Creator, has disbelieved.

Allah, exalted is He, has ninety-nine names. It is authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he said this. Yet some who are affiliated with Jahm have made an atrocious statement, saying: “If I were to say that the Lord has ninety-nine names, I would be worshipping ninety-nine gods.” One of them even said: “I do not worship Allah, the One, the Eternal Refuge; rather, I worship that which is intended by this expression.” What statement could be more slanderous or more monstrous than for a man to declare, “I do not worship Allah”?