Nay, I will have a controversy with you on the condition...

Nay, I will have a controversy with you on the condition that if I overcome you, you will accept my faith; but if you overcome me, I shall refer it to my Imam (for a proper answer).[^4] [^1]: The Urdu translator explains (p.29), that what is prohibited is vain disputation, the only object of which is to silence the opponent, and not a sincere quest after truth, [^2]: See El, iv, 1228 (L. Massignon). Here it clearly means a heretic, one who strays from the right path.

[^3]: Perhaps this is a hit against the mutakallimun. [^4]: This is not an important article of faith and it is surprising that so much space, consisting mainly of riwayat, should be devoted to it. Although rationalist discussion is discountenanced (MC, 54,112, 113), nothing like this is to be found either in Wensinck or BHA. For a fuller discussion see Tawhid, 370-376. Previous…