waves of false doubts and corrupt imaginings, born of conjecture and ignorance, which their proponents call conclusive rational proofs. In his breast, they are as Allah describes them in 24:40:

“Or like darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds—layers of darkness, one above another. When he stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it. Whoever Allah does not grant light has no light.”

Consider how these verses describe ways that encompass all the various groups of humanity with perfect order and completeness. For people are of two kinds: those endowed with guidance and insight, who know that the truth lies in what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought from Allah, glorified is He, and that everything opposing it consists of specious doubts. Those with little understanding and little knowledge of revelation are confused by these doubts, imagining them to have some substance from which they may benefit. Yet they are:

[Surah al-Nūr (24): verses 39 to 40]

“As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage on a level plain, which a thirsty person mistakes for water. But when he reaches it, he finds nothing there; instead, he finds Allah there, who pays him his account in full. And Allah is swift in reckoning. (39) Or like darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds—layers of darkness, one above another. When he stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it. Whoever Allah does not grant light has no light. (40)”

These are the people of guidance and the religion of truth, endowed with beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. They believe the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in what he reports, without opposing him with specious doubts, and obey his commands, without neglecting them for the sake of their desires. In their knowledge, they are not among those who indulge in conjecture and falsehood, “who are heedless, immersed in ignorance”; nor, in their deeds, are they among those who merely enjoy their allotted share, whose deeds have come to nothing in this world and the Hereafter. Those are the losers.

The light of clear revelation has shone upon them. By its light, they see the people of darkness wandering blindly in the darkness of their opinions, stumbling bewildered in their error, and wavering in their doubts, beguiled by the appearance of the mirage. They are barren and desolate, devoid of the wisdom and decisive speech with which Allah sent His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They possess nothing but the shavings of thought and the refuse of minds, which