what the texts of the Quran and Sunnah entail, together with the rational conclusions consistent with them. This gives rise to conflict and contradiction.

Similarly, the Mu‘tazilah refuted many disbelievers through approaches they adopted; yet whenever they accept what those approaches entail, they contradict other truths known through revelation or reason.

Whoever reflects on these matters will see astonishing things. Nothing withstands systematic examination and the testing of alternatives, while remaining free of contradiction, except what comes from Allah. As the Most High says:

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

Many of these factions display partisan hostility towards others. They see the speck in their brother’s eye but fail to see the beam lodged in their own. They point out the contradictions in others’ statements and their conflict with the scriptural texts and reason, while holding positions on the same subject that are of the same kind, or weaker, or stronger.

Allah Most High commands knowledge and justice and condemns ignorance and injustice. As the Most High says:

“But man undertook it. Indeed, he was ever unjust and ignorant. * So that Allah may punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the polytheists, men and women, and turn in mercy to the believers, men and women. And Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.”