and reason is the way of the people of hypocrisy and heresy, and of ignorance and doubt—not the way of anyone possessing reason or faith.

As Allah Most High says:

“Among people are those who dispute about Allah without knowledge, guidance, or an illuminating Book.”
[Al-Hajj: 8]

And Allah Most High says:

“Among people are those who dispute about Allah without knowledge and follow every rebellious devil. * It has been decreed concerning him that whoever takes him as an ally, he will lead him astray and guide him to the punishment of the Blaze.”
[Al-Hajj: 3–4]

For it may be said: This is the condition of everyone who opposes Allah’s verses with what he considers rational. He has no knowledge, since whatever he sets against them—even if he calls it rational—is ignorance and misguidance, not knowledge or reason. Nor does he have guidance, for he has no faith by which to be guided: those who follow guidance from their Lord believe in what the Messenger brought. Nor does he have an illuminating Book, for an illuminating Book does not contradict Allah’s Book.

These opponents have neither knowledge, nor faith, nor the Quran. Thus, they dispute about Allah’s verses without knowledge, guidance, or an illuminating Book.

The term “knowledge” encompasses both of these, but this is an instance of conjoining the specific to the general; hence the additional specification is mentioned in one instance and omitted in another.

This is because it may be said that He, glorified be He, mentioned three categories: one category disputes