debate, the orderly presentation of proofs, and how to refute an opposing argument by challenging its premises where appropriate, presenting a counterargument where appropriate, and employing other methods that expose the invalidity of false claims opposed to the truth.

What these people say to those who deny the divine attributes is analogous to what all believers in the Last Day say to the heretical deniers when the latter declare:

“Rational proof has established that there is no resurrection whatsoever, or that there is no eating, drinking, marital relations, or the like in Paradise, or that there is no bodily resurrection. Scriptural texts that contradict this must therefore either be reinterpreted or have their interpretation left to Allah.”

Those who believe in the Hereafter, whether speculative theologians or others, reply:

“We know that the resurrection is a self-evident teaching of Islam, and self-evident knowledge cannot be rejected. If the resurrection were not true, one would have to deny either that the Messenger foretold it or that he was truthful in what he foretold. Both are impossible. After all, anyone who knows that the Messenger foretold it, and knows that he reports only the truth, necessarily knows that the resurrection is true.”

This is precisely what those who affirm the divine attributes and actions say to those who deny them; the two arguments correspond exactly. Those who deny the attributes while affirming the resurrection stand between those who believe in both, such as the early generations and the imams, and the heretics who deny both the attributes and the resurrection.

The heretics say to them:

“Our position in denying the resurrection is like yours in denying the attributes. Neither can be established by appealing to revelation, because reason contradicts it.”

Those who believe in Allah and His Messenger say to them:

“What we say to you concerning the attributes is just what you say to the heretics concerning the resurrection.”