the hypocrite and the doubter have neither certainty nor faith. Such a person merely imitates others rather than verifying the truth. Thus, the hadith is sufficient evidence against them.

As for their statement, “Allah has mentioned inferential reasoning in several places in His Book, commanded it, and made knowledge of Him obligatory; and knowledge of Him can only come through inferential reasoning,” this too contains an addition they have inserted: “commanded it.”

They will never find this. Rather, Allah mentioned inferential reasoning and encouraged it. We do not reject inferential reasoning; indeed, it is a good and recommended act, encouraged for everyone capable of it, because it brings further good. It is obligatory for anyone who has not attained assurance in belief. What we reject is making it an obligation upon everyone, without which no one’s Islam is valid. This is utterly false.

As for their statement that Allah has made knowledge of Him obligatory, yes, indeed.

But their statement that knowledge can only come through inferential reasoning is the false claim we have just refuted. The first indication of its invalidity is that it is a claim without proof.”

He said:

“Their position therefore falls, since it is devoid of proof: it is a claim they have fabricated, supported by neither any revealed text nor any consensus.

We shall now present the proofs that their position is false.

To anyone who says, ‘No one is a Muslim except one who