place and measure. Every thought and inward reflection is incapable of conceiving Him. Intellects were checked and, finding no way forward, returned exhausted; imagination returned humbled and weary.”

He went on to say:

“Rather, He is known through that by which He has made Himself known, and described as He has described Himself. He made Himself known to us through His Lordship and described to us His oneness and uniqueness. He swore to this in His words, exalted is He:

‘By those arrayed in ranks, those who drive forcefully, and those who recite the Reminder: indeed, your God is One.’

He is truthful in His declaration and testimony, for He is truly the One, who has no partner in divinity or origination. He made Himself known to us in this way through the words of the messengers. The messengers acquainted us with His oneness, through which He made Himself known to us in His speech and His steps. Thus, this knowledge originates with Him and then comes through the messengers.

‘Allah has certainly bestowed His favour upon the believers by raising among them a messenger from among themselves.’

He blessed us with reason, which serves as proof, and knowledge, which serves as proof. He gave us hearing, sight, and hearts, and called upon us to draw lessons, reflect, and accept, so that the proof might be stronger and the explanation clearer.

He, glorified is He, said:

‘Allah has not taken any offspring, nor has there ever been any god alongside Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have risen above others. Exalted is Allah above what they attribute to Him.’

Thus He declared Himself far above what they claimed and invented. Allah is truthful in His declaration, and the messengers spoke the truth.”