are free to choose among doctrines or not?

If you say that they are free to choose between Rāfidism, Mu‘tazilism, Qadarism, corporealism, likening Allah to His creation, and other doctrines, this is error and obstinacy. But if you say that they have no such choice and must instead follow particular doctrines, then choosing some doctrines over others is impossible without evidence—and that is knowledge and rational inquiry.”

He said:

“As for our scholars, they unanimously agree that ordinary people are believers and that they will fill Paradise. They differ, however, over how this is so.

Some said: ‘They know Allah Most High and recognize the evidence, but cannot express themselves in the established technical vocabulary. The evidence is nevertheless embedded in their minds and present within their souls. When one of them sees greenery, he exclaims, “Glory be to Allah!” Yet this is not rational inquiry on his part.’

They said: ‘Knowledge means nothing other than believing something to be as it actually is, and this is true of ordinary people.’

They then asked concerning inferential knowledge: ‘What is your position on it? Do you allow that it may arise immediately, without inference, or not? If you disallow this, you have gone too far. But if you allow it, why not say the same here? The obligation imposed upon them would then be