compound ignorance, which consists of false suppositions and beliefs that do not correspond to reality. Although they call these rational proofs and conclusive evidence, they themselves and their peers challenge them, showing that they are specious arguments and proofs that stray from the truth.

Everyone familiar with the condition of these people knows this. By contrast, those who follow the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, come to see that what he brought accords with clear reason and is the truth, containing neither inconsistency nor contradiction.

Allah Most High says:

“Do they not ponder the Quran? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have found much contradiction in it.”

For these people, the likeness of Allah’s light in their hearts is:

“Like a niche in which there is a lamp. The lamp is in glass, and the glass is like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. Allah presents parables to people, and Allah has knowledge of all things.”

The light of faith and the light of the Quran; the light of clear reason and the light of authentic transmitted knowledge.

As one of the early Muslims said:

“A believer may almost utter wisdom without having heard any transmitted report concerning it; then, when the report comes, it is light upon light.”