He said: “Each claims that his approach to inference is necessary and self-evident.”

He said:

“For my part, I say: What is established by things coming into being, or demonstrated by contingency after the premises have been laid out, falls short of what innate human nature attests: a person’s inherent need for a Governor who is the ultimate object of appeal for every need. He is sought, not shunned; through Him one becomes free of need, yet one can never dispense with Him. One turns toward Him, not away from Him, and seeks refuge in Him in hardships and grave concerns. A person’s own need is clearer than the need of an external contingent being for the Necessary Being, or of something that comes into being for an Originator.

“It is in keeping with this meaning that the True One, glorified is He, makes Himself known in revelation in this manner:

‘Or who responds to the distressed when he calls upon Him?’
Al-Naml 62.

‘Say: Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and sea?’
Al-Anʿām 63.

‘Say: Who