even if a large group has espoused them, since another large group disagrees with it. All that remains is to say:
Every person has reason, so let him rely on his own reason; whenever he finds that his own opinion conflicts with the words of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, let him reject those words and give his opinion precedence over the texts of the prophets, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon them. It is well known that this leads to even greater misguidance and confusion.
If the masters of rational inquiry and the towering figures of philosophy, who have attained the utmost intelligence and powers of inquiry, labor night and day to understand these rational arguments, yet arrive at no conclusion grounded in clear reason that contradicts the Book, but only at bewilderment and doubt or disagreement among factions, then what of those who have not attained their level of intellect, intelligence, or knowledge of the rational arguments they have pursued?
This and similar considerations show that whoever turns away from the Book and opposes it with something that contradicts it opposes it only with simple ignorance or compound ignorance. The first is:
“Like a mirage on a level plain, which a thirsty person thinks is water, until, when he reaches it, he finds it to be nothing, but finds Allah there, who settles his account in full. And Allah is swift in reckoning.”
[al-Nūr: 39]
The second is:
“Like darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds—layers of darkness, one above another. When he stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it. Whoever Allah does not grant light has no light.”
[al-Nūr: 40]
Those who adhere to the Quran and faith are in light upon light. Allah Most High says:
“Thus We have revealed to you an inspiration by Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor what faith was, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, you guide to a straight path * the path of Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Surely, to Allah all matters return.”
[al-Shūrā: 52–53]
And Allah Most High says:
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His light”
—through to the end of the verse,