And regrettably, some of them extracted from the book al-Futuhat al-Makkiyyah (The Meccan Openings) statements by Shaykh Muhyi al-Din Ibn ‘Arabi—whose name is in the indefinite form—indicating the continuance of this alleged prophethood, and published them in a booklet for the people. Then none of the shaykhs was able to refute them. Previously, they had written some treatises refuting them, but they refrained from responding to this booklet because part of the compiler’s cunning was that he included nothing of his own; rather, he merely cited the Shaykh’s statements which, in their view, support their misguidance in the aforementioned claim. Thus, if they were to refute it, the refutation would be directed at the Greatest Shaykh—a thing none of them would dare to do, unless they even consider it heresy! It is as though they believe that falsehood depends solely on the person in whom it appears: if it appears in someone whom they consider an unbeliever, it is false; but if it appears in someone whom they consider a Muslim—indeed, a saint—it is truth! Allah’s help is sought.

474 — “At which of you will the dogs of al-Haw’ab bark?”

Ahmad recorded it (6/52) through Yahya—who was Ibn Sa‘id—and (6/97) through Shu‘bah; Abu Ishaq al-Harbi in Gharib al-Hadith (5/78/1) through ‘Abdah; Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (1831—Mawarid) through Waki‘ and ‘Ali ibn Mishar; Ibn ‘Adi in al-Kamil (fol. 223/2) through Ibn Fudayl; and al-Hakim (3/120) through Ya‘la ibn ‘Ubayd. All of them narrated from Isma‘il ibn Abi Khalid, from Qays ibn Abi Hazim, that when ‘A’ishah passed by al-Haw’ab, she heard the barking of dogs and said:

“I think I must return, for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to us”—and she cited the hadith. Al-Zubayr then said to her: “Will you return? Perhaps Allah Most High will bring reconciliation between the people through you.”