16. My father said: `Ali ibn Ibrahim said, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ibn Abu `Umayr, on the authority of Hisham ibn al-Hakam that Abu Shakir al-Daysani said:

“There is a verse in the Qur`an, that surely strengthens us (the atheists).” I said: “Which one is it?” So he answered, “And He it is who is God in the Heavens and God in the Earth.”1 I did not know how to respond to him; therefore, when I went for hajj, I informed Abu `Abd Allah la-Sadiq . He replied, This is a statement from an evil atheist. When you return to him, say to him: “What is your name in Kufah?” And he will say to you so-and-so. Then ask him, “What is your name in Basra?” And he will say the same name. Then say to him: “Such is Allah, our Lord. He is God in the Heaven, and God in the Earth. He is God in the oceans, and god in every place.” Hisham says: When I returned I went to Abu Shakir and informed him (of what Abu `Abd Allah said to me). Thus, he said: “This is transmitted from Hijaz.”