for once the existence of a category is known, there are various ways of knowing that a particular individual belongs to it.

This, then, is a way of recognizing a prophet’s prophethood before acquiring detailed knowledge of divine and religious matters.

In short, there are many ways of recognizing a prophet’s prophethood, which have been discussed elsewhere.

Those who approach knowledge of Allah Most High solely through transmitted teachings and reports first recognize the Prophet’s truthfulness, then learn through his reports what he conveys.

Knowledge of the Prophet’s truthfulness does not depend on establishing the premises advanced by many speculative theologians, such as the Muʿtazilah and their followers. They sought to establish that bodies came into existence by appealing to their allegedly composite nature, the particular characteristics they possess, and the accidents and temporal occurrences inhering in them. Supposing that this was the only way to know the Messenger’s truthfulness, they began denouncing anyone who did not follow these methods or who said anything contradicting their premises.

The invalidity of their method has already been established on both scriptural and rational grounds. They and others like them who engage in false speculative theology direct denunciations against the adherents of the Muslim community.