These men entered into debate with the philosophers on unsound grounds—both scripturally and rationally. In many of the very issues over which they disputed, they never truly grasped the religion of Islam; instead, they attributed to Islam what does not belong to it. Nor did they put forward correct proofs or replies to their opponents: they rebutted falsehood with falsehood and confronted innovation with more innovation.

Yet the philosophers’ falsehood is the greater of the two. In matters of theology and religion they depart from the truth—established by the evidences of revelation and sound reason—far more than do those innovators among the practitioners of kalām. Nevertheless, the shallow understanding these theologians have of the truth and its proofs has given the philosophers the upper hand, much like a band of dissolute soldiers who meet an army of unbelievers: they are neither righteous, God-fearing warriors nor wicked yet powerful fighters. Such behavior emboldens the unbelievers against them, and even if those soldiers prevail through injustice and transgression, the tables will eventually turn against them, for tyranny ends in ruin. Justice, on the other hand, is obligatory upon everyone toward everyone else in every circumstance; indeed, God sent the messengers and revealed the Scriptures so that people might uphold justice.

God the Exalted says:

“Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance so that people might uphold justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great might and [many] benefits for mankind.” (Sūrat al-Ḥadīd, 25)

He also says:

“It is Allah who has sent down the Book in truth, and the Balance.” (Sūrat al-Shūrā, 17)

And He says:

“He raised the heaven and set the Balance.” (Sūrat al-Raḥmān, 7)