among them: “But He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you, so that you may be grateful.” Indeed, this may be more indicative, owing to His saying, glorified is He: “and complete His favor upon you,” for the occurrence of this completion cannot be conceived without preservation from sins and from the evil of Satan.” His discussion has a further continuation which does not go beyond the substance of what has preceded, though it reinforces it. Whoever wishes may consult it.

I have dwelt at length on the issue of the alleged infallibility because of its importance and its close connection with the hadith of Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her; and as a reminder to the other person referred to, that perhaps he may find in what I have written something to illuminate for him the path of guidance and lead him to resume relations with his brother, having withdrawn from misleading him. This is also recorded for history and as a lesson.

Then, many years after this was written, the man passed on to Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. I also ask the pardon of certain brethren who may find this scholarly criticism, and what follows, displeasing. I remind them that the knowledge to which I have devoted my lifetime leaves me no room to depart from it. The statement of al-Bukhari and Sulayman ibn Harb, cited below under no. 2630 concerning Harb ibn Maymun—“He is the greatest liar of all people”—made after his death, is not unfamiliar to them.

2508 — “Pharaoh fastened four stakes for his wife through her hands and feet. Whenever they left her, the angels shaded her, and she said: ‘My Lord, build for me, near You, a house in Paradise; save me from Pharaoh and his deeds; and save me from the wrongdoing people.’ Then her house in Paradise was unveiled to her.”

Abu Ya‘la recorded it in his Musnad (4/1521–1522): Hudbah narrated to us; Hammad ibn Salamah informed us, from Thabit, from Abu Rafi‘, from Abu Hurayrah, that Pharaoh ... etc. Thus