by necessity, whereas truthfulness is an attribute of perfection, and attesting (1) a liar (2) as truthful is a kind of lying, [just as declaring a truthful person to be a liar is a kind of lying] (3). Since lying is an attribute of deficiency, anything deficient is impossible for Allah.”

This matter (4) is discussed at length elsewhere (5). [We do not intend to vindicate the view of everyone (6) who affiliates himself with the Sunnah; rather, we clarify the truth. The truth is that Ahl al-Sunnah have never unanimously agreed upon an error, nor have the Shia ever (7) been alone in holding a correct view contrary to them. Rather, in every matter in which the Shia oppose all of Ahl al-Sunnah, the Shia are mistaken—just as, in every matter in which the Jews and Christians oppose all the Muslims, they are astray, even though many Muslims may err.

Whoever among those who affirm divine decree is in agreement (8) with Jahm ibn Safwān that Allah does nothing for a wise purpose or because of a cause; that, as far as Allah is concerned, there is no distinction between what is commanded and what is prohibited; and that He does not love some actions while hating others—such a person’s view is corrupt (9), contrary to the Book, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the Salaf. Such people may be unable to explain why many deficiencies are impossible for Him, especially when some of them say:

“His transcendence above deficiency is known (10) not through reason, but through revelation.”