Rather, the knowledge had already been acquired without it. If the reasoning is sound, it may reinforce that knowledge, bring it to mind, and clarify it, even though the knowledge was already present without it.

Whoever understands these matters properly will grasp the truth concerning the foundations of knowledge. He will recognize the ignorance of anyone who confines something known to people at large—and the most exalted knowledge they possess—to a particular method known only to some of them. This would be ignorance even if that method were sound; how much more so if it is flawed!

A further clarification of this point is that the prescribed remembrance of Allah consists of complete utterances, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The best words after the Quran are four, and they are also in the Quran: Glory be to Allah; praise be to Allah; there is no god but Allah; and Allah is the Greatest.”

As for merely repeating the name alone, saying “Allah, Allah,” this is not prescribed by the Sharia, nor is it meaningful speech, for meaningful speech affirms or denies something about the one named.

As for a bare conception, it conveys no benefit, even if it is rooted in the original innate disposition—although what is known through that disposition includes both affirmations and negations.