but he reports matters that reason is unable to discover: matters that perplex reason, not matters that reason deems impossible.

For this reason, Imam Ahmad said in his treatise on the Sunnah, transmitted by ‘Abdūs ibn Mālik al-‘Attār:

“The Sunnah is not based on rational inference; comparisons are not to be drawn against it, nor can it be comprehended by reason.”

This is his position and that of all the other imams of the Muslims. They agree that not everyone can comprehend through their own reason what the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—has brought. Were they able to comprehend it through their own reason, they would have no need of the Messenger. Nor may it be opposed through comparisons drawn against it. Thus, people may neither oppose it with their reason nor comprehend it through their reason.

Therefore, if someone says to the Messenger, “I believe you provided that you do not contradict my reason,” or, “You are truthful in whatever does not conflict with rational proof,” then, if he considers it possible for the Messenger to contradict a sound rational proof, he does not believe in him. And if he gives precedence over the Messenger’s words to a rational proof that is not