three.' [He said: 'Did you not know that I had three wives and I divorced them?' They said: 'Yes.' He said: 'I have divorced three.'] (24) They said: 'That is not what we intended.' Shaqiq mentioned that to Uthman (25), and he (26) accepted his intention. It is narrated (27) from al-Sha'bi that he was in a gathering, and a man looked at him, thinking he was asking him to introduce him (28) and praise him. Al-Sha'bi said: 'He has a household and nobility.' After the man left, it was said to al-Sha'bi: 'Do you know him?' He said: 'No, but he looked at me.' It was said: 'Then how did you praise him?' He said: 'His nobility is his ears, and his household is that which he inhabits.' It is narrated that a man was caught drinking, and it was said to him: 'Who are you?' He said (30):

I am the son of him whose cauldron is never taken down by time, And even if it were taken down one day, it would surely return. (31)

You see people in crowds at the door of his house, Among them are those standing around it and those sitting.

They thought he was a nobleman, so they let him go (32). [Then they asked] (33) about him, and he was the son of al-Baqillani. The Khawarij (34) took a Rafidi and said to him: 'Renounce Uthman and Ali.' He said: 'I am innocent of Ali and Uthman.' This and its like is the ta'wil (figurative interpretation) for which the oppressor is not excused, but it is permissible for someone else, whether he is oppressed or otherwise, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say this in jest without having a need for it.

Section: The impossible is of two types; one of them is impossible by custom, such as ascending to the sky, flying, and traversing a long distance in a short time. If one swears to perform it, his oath is binding.