This is not the task of reason. Rather, reason’s role is to provide additional insights and to consider the divine intent conveyed by the messengers. Thus He, glorified is He, has granted all that He created knowledge of His uniqueness; He has singled out the children of Adam for knowledge of His lordship, just as He has honoured them; He has singled out the believers for knowledge of His oneness; and He has singled out the elect among the believers for further knowledge.

People differ in this knowledge. Whoever possesses two kinds of knowledge is an unbeliever; whoever possesses three is a Muslim; whoever possesses four is a believer; and whoever possesses five is a knowledgeable believer. Thereafter, they differ in further knowledge according to their spiritual states, sincerity of purpose, adherence to knowledge, strength of certainty, purity of devotion, soundness of belief, and steadfast adherence to the Sunnah.

Reason, knowledge, inquiry, inference, reflection, and drawing lessons uncover the further knowledge in which Allah’s servants differ. Whoever applies the rules governing one kind of knowledge to another has erred most grievously: ignorance has brought him to ruin, plunged him into a sea of bewilderment, and led him to contradict the transmitted reports. For some reports state that He is known through Himself, others through knowledge, others through reason, and so forth.

This shows that each kind of knowledge has its own rules and source, station and state. Everyone has knowledge of His uniqueness and His lordship, but not everyone has knowledge of His oneness.

While knowledge of His oneness extends to all Muslims, not all Muslims possess knowledge of