the rational evidence demonstrating that they are truthful when they say, “Allah has sent us,” is given precedence over rational arguments that contradict this, then the rational evidence that entails their truthfulness in what they report must likewise be given precedence over rational arguments that contradict it. The matter thus comes down to giving one kind of rational argument precedence over another.

This is agreed upon among people of reason: when rational arguments conflict, some must be given precedence over others. We say that two conclusive proofs can never conflict—whether both are rational, both are drawn from transmitted revelation, or one is transmitted and the other rational. Yet someone who has not understood the true nature of the two positions may suppose that they conflict because he has failed to recognize the invalidity of one of them.

[Another objection]
If it is said:
“We infer from reason’s opposition to transmitted revelation that what transmitted revelation indicates contrary to reason is unsound: either the person transmitting from the Messenger has lied or erred in transmission, or the Messenger’s words do not indicate anything contrary to reason on the disputed point.”

[Response]
The response is:
This can be countered by saying: “We infer from reason’s opposition to transmitted revelation that the rational argument contradicting it is unsound in some of its premises.” The premises of rational arguments that contradict transmitted revelation involve such lengthiness, obscurity, ambiguity, disagreement, and inconsistency that error is more liable to enter them than the premises of proofs drawn from transmitted revelation.

This is further clarified by the following: transmitted revelation indicates matters on which there is consensus just as it indicates matters that are disputed. Its indication of Allah’s knowledge, power, will, hearing, and sight is like its indication of His pleasure, love, anger, rising over His Throne, and similar matters. Likewise, its indication of the all-encompassing scope of His will and power is like its indication of His all-encompassing knowledge.