Allah has said:

فَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ إِلاَّ الضَّلاَلُ

“Apart from Truth, what (remains) but error? (Q 10:32).

There are two reprobate sects who claim their alliance to Sufism and notwithstanding their moral corruptions erroneously exhaust themselves in their friendship.

One sect refers them to Abu Hulman of Damascus and the traditions which his followers relate of him do not agree with what is written about him in the books of Sufi Sheikhs. The Sufis regard Abu Hulman as one of them but these heretics attribute to him the doctrines of incarnation, union, and transmigration of spirits. I have seen criticism on them in the book of Muqadmi, and the theologians also have the same opinion of them. Allah knows what the reality is.

The other sect refers their doctrine to Faris, who pretends to have derived it from Hussein b. Mansur (al-Hallaj). None of the followers of Hallaj except this group holds such tenets. I saw Abu Jafar Sadlani with four thousand men, who all were followers of Hallaj and they all cursed Faris on account of this doctrine. Moreover, in the writings of Hallaj there is nothing but profound theosophy.

I say that we need not to know who Faris and Abu Hulman were or what they said, but anyone who holds a doctrine conflicting with Tawhid (Unification) and true theosophy has no part in religion at all. If the religion, which is the root and essence, is not firmly based, Sufism which is the branch and offspring of religion, how could it be sound and safe, for revelation, miracles and evidences are only manifested to Unitarians and religious persons.

The adherents of these doctrines have erred in regard to ruh روح (spirit), therefore, now I will explain its nature and principles according to the laws of Sunnah and in the course of my explanation I will bring forth the sayings, misgivings and erroneous opinions of the heretics in order that your faith may be strengthened, as the subject is relatively complicated.

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