And the reality of the matter is that every faction makes taʾwīl (figurative interpretation) of that which opposes its creed and madhhab. Hence, the criterion between that whose taʾwīl is allowed and that whose taʾwīl is not allowed is actually the madhhab that [each faction] has tended to, and the principles that it has laid down. Hence, whatever agrees with these principles, they affirm it and do not make taʾwīl of it, and whatever opposes them, if it is possible for them to reject it outright (i.e. the text, through claims of inauthenticity) they reject it, otherwise, they make taʾwīl of it.

For this reason, when the Rāfiḍah established their hatred for the Companions, they rejected everything that came concerning their virtues, and praise of them, or they made taʾwīl of it.

And when the Jahmiyyah laid their foundations that Allāh does not speak, does not speak to anyone, and nor will He be seen with the vision (of the eyes), and that He is not above the Throne, separate from His creation, and that He does not have any attribute that is established with Him, they made taʾwīl of everything that opposed what they had laid down (as their foundation).

And when the Qadariyyah laid down their foundation that Allāh, the Sublime, does not create the actions of His servants, and that He did not decree [these actions] for them, they made taʾwīl of everything that opposed their foundations.

And when the Muʿtazilah laid the foundation of their saying concerning the implementation of the threat [of punishment], and that whoever enters the Fire will never come out of it, they made taʾwīl of everything that opposed it.

And when the Murji’ah laid their foundation that īmān (faith) is mere knowledge (maʿrifah) and it does not increase or decrease, they made taʾwīl of everything that opposed their foundations.

And when the Kullābiyyah laid their foundation that Allāh, the Sublime, cannot be described with that which is tied to His qudrah (power) and will^[2] and they labelled this “hulūl al-ḥawādith” [the occurrence of events, changes, transformations in His essence], they made taʾwīl of everything that opposed this foundation.

And when the Jabariyyah laid the foundation that the ability (qudrah) of the servant has no role or effect in his actions from any angle whatsoever, and that the movements of the servants is just like the motion of the trees through the blowing of the wind, they made taʾwīl of everything that came in opposition to this.”