They also say that the month of Ramadan signifies the names of thirty men, [and that the thirty (1) signify the names of thirty women, and that the five prayers stand for five names: Ali, Hasan, Husayn, Muhsin, and Fatima] (2)—along with other forms of hideous unbelief, the description of which (3) would take too long (4).

This is well known. Scholars unanimously agree that these extremist doctrines—which ascribe defects and shortcomings to the Lord and entail likening the Creator to creation with respect to (5 attributes of imperfection, and likening creation to the Creator with respect to 5) (5) the prerogatives of divinity—are more prevalent among the Shia than anywhere else, by universal agreement. Among all the sects of the Muslim community, nothing more abhorrent in its doctrines of divine indwelling, likening God to creation, and negating His attributes can be found than what is found among them.

For this reason, “the Heretics” and “the Extremists” came to serve as two designations for some of those affiliated (6) with them. “The Heretics” is a designation for the Ismailis, while “the Extremists” is a designation for those who affirm divinity in human beings (7), (8 such as the Nusayris; and those best known for extremism and for claiming divinity for human beings 8) (8)