for they have no power to remove harm from you or transfer it.’ Those whom they call upon themselves seek the means of drawing near to their Lord, vying to be nearest; they hope for His mercy and fear His punishment” [al-Isrā’: 56–57].

He thus makes clear that those whom they call upon besides Allah seek the means of drawing near to Him. This accords with His words:

“Had there been other gods alongside Him, as they claim, they would have sought a way to the Lord of the Throne” [al-Isrā’: 42].

The purpose here is not to discuss this at length, but to explain what he mentioned concerning the methods of the Mu‘tazilīs and those Ash‘arīs who followed their path.

He said:

“This, then, is the proof provided by nature and revelation for knowing divine oneness. The only difference between the general public and scholars regarding this proof is that scholars know more about the unity of the world and how its parts exist for one another, like a single body, than the general public does. This meaning is indicated by the Most High’s words at the end of the verse:

‘Glorified and exalted is He, far above what they say! The seven heavens, the earth, and all within them glorify Him. There is nothing that does not glorify Him with praise, but you do not understand their glorification. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing, All-Forgiving’ [al-Isrā’: 43–44].”

He said:

“As for what the Ash‘arīs—meaning the Mu‘tazilīs as well—laboriously construct by way of