Some scholars have said: Perhaps by "lacking in excellence," he refers to a lack of worldly status, such as official positions and social standing, and this is something that only increases his honor and merit!
As for the "falling short in silencing his opponents," this assessment comes from al-Dhahabi, not from al-Dashti himself, for he described him as being among the scholars! His book Ithbat al-Hadd (Affirming the Limit) demonstrates the strength of his arguments; however, the People of the Sunnah are not practitioners of speculative theology (kalam), polemics, or disputes; rather, they are people of the Sunnah, narrations (athar), and adherence (ittiba‘).
As Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Barghuth [one of the Jahmites] began saying that day: 'the body' (al-jism), and so forth—speech that I did not understand. So I said: 'I do not know, nor do I comprehend what this is, except that I know that He is One, the Eternal Refuge (al-Samad), having no likeness or equal, and He is as He has described Himself.' Then he would fall silent." [Reported in al-Ibanah al-Kubra (2489), in my edition].
Death:
He (may Allah have mercy on him) passed away on Monday at sunset on the twenty-first of Rajab, in the year six hundred and sixty-five (665 AH), in the Great Khan Masrur in Cairo. He was buried at the foot of Mount Muqattam near the tomb of al-Hafiz ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Maqdisi. He had exceeded sixty years of age—as stated by al-Dimyati, and similarly by al-Dhahabi.
