And the knowledge they have attained does not bring salvation, let alone supreme happiness. They are thus further removed from human perfection, salvation in the Hereafter, and happiness than Jews and Christians, considered as such—although some Jews and Christians are further removed from these goals than those who are closer to Islam than Jews and Christians. For salvation and happiness lie in following the Messengers in knowledge and practice.

Their books contain no faith in any specific prophet or any specific scripture: neither the Torah, the Gospel, nor the Quran; neither Abraham, Moses, nor Jesus. Indeed, they do not even affirm a specific Lord, but only a universal being and universal matters. Nor do they command worshipping Allah alone, without any partner, or forbid worshipping anything besides Him. It is well known that salvation and happiness cannot be attained without this. Indeed, they have no faith in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, or resurrection after death; nor do they believe that Allah has decreed the destinies of His servants. For, according to them, He does not know particulars—how, then, could He decree them? It is well known that happiness cannot be attained without this.

Since their doctrine contradicts the innate disposition upon which Allah created His servants—acknowledging Him and loving Him—their account of the soul’s perfection is incompatible with both.

This is why their statements on this subject are inconsistent. At times they find themselves obliged to acknowledge what entails loving Him and being devoted to Him, while acknowledging Him, Glorified is He, and His exaltedness above His creation. At other times they advance claims that entail negating both.