The response to the heretics and the Jahmiyyah regarding what they complained about from the ambiguous parts of the Quran and their misinterpretation of it contrary to its proper interpretation.

The response to the Zindiqah (heretics) and Jahmiyyah regarding what they doubted in the Mutashabih (ambiguous) verses of the Quran and their misinterpretation of it contrary to its proper Tafsir (interpretation), along with comprehensive reports, a collection of the words of Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah | Ahmad ibn Hanbal The response to the Zindiqah and Jahmiyyah is a book authored by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, who is considered among Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah as one of the most important scholars. This book was written by Ahmad ibn Hanbal in prison, and this has been confirmed by a group of scholars, including: Saleh ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Ya'la al-Hanbali, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, and Ibn al-Lahham al-Hanbali. The date of composition is the year 220 AH. The Zindiq (heretic): is the one who outwardly shows Islam and hides disbelief; he is the hypocrite who existed in the era of the Prophet. Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah consider the Jahmiyyah among the Zindiqah. Said 'Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Darimi: “The Jahmiyyah among us are the worst of Zindiqah; we see that they should be given the chance to repent from their disbelief. If they show repentance, they are left; if witnesses testify against them and they deny and do not repent, they are killed. Likewise, it has been reported from 'Ali ibn Abi Talib that he legislated (punishment) for the Zindiqah.” The most prominent difference the Jahmiyyah had with the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah was their denial of Allah’s attributes. Many scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah responded to the Jahmiyyah either in special writings or within other books. Among those who responded within their writings are: Malik ibn Anas in his Muwatta, Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari in his Sahih al-Bukhari, Abu Dawood al-Sijistani in his Sunan Abu Dawood, al-Nasa’i in his Sunan al-Nasa’i, Muhammad ibn Maja in his Sunan Ibn Maja, 'Ubayd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn Batta al-Hanbali in Al-Ibanah, Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Khalil in his Kitab al-Sunnah. All of them mention in their books the methodology of the Salaf (pious predecessors) in affirming the Attributes and responding to the Jahmiyyah. The response to the Zindiqah and Jahmiyyah regarding what they doubted in the Mutashabih verses of the Quran and their misinterpretation contrary to its proper Tafsir is the full, correct title of the book, supported by several points: Firstly: Some manuscript copies mention this full title. Secondly: This title is fully mentioned in the introduction of the book within the speech of Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal in all copies except the copy from the Nadiyyat al-‘Ulama Library in India. Thirdly: Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned this title in more than fifteen places. The importance of the book lies in two matters: its author and its subject and content. Firstly: The author of the book is Ahmad ibn Hanbal, who is considered an Imam and one of the most important scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. Secondly: The subject of the book is the fundamentals of religion and the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, and the response to the doubts of the Jahmiyyah. Thirdly: The author’s reliance on rational evidence in this book. Fourthly: The book presents many Quranic verses which the Zindiqah thought contained contradictions. Fifthly: The praise of scholars for it and their acceptance of it. The book consists of two sections, each containing several important issues: Section One: The verses that the Zindiqah used to claim that the Quran is contradictory. Section Two: Verses about Allah’s Attributes and responses to the Jahmiyyah. Among the important issues discussed are: - Affirming that the believers will see their Lord in Paradise - Affirming that Allah spoke to Musa (Moses), peace be upon him - Use of rational analogy (Qiyas) - Affirming that Allah is above His Throne - Responding to the objections of the Muḥallilah (those who resort to metaphorical interpretation) who opposed the Quran and Sunnah - Affirming the Attribute of knowledge for Allah and responding to the Jahmiyyah’s denial of it - Clarifying the Jahmiyyah’s misguidance in denying the eternity of Paradise and Hellfire and their claim that they will cease to exist Finally, the book concludes with a call to return to the Quran and Sunnah, to follow the sayings of the Companions and the Tabi‘un, and warns against following the sayings of Jaham ibn Sufwan.