The response is that this premise can be established in several ways. The first is that this entails necessary knowledge that the One they invoke is above. As explained earlier, they find this innate, necessary knowledge within themselves; they state verbally that they find it; and their actions and words demonstrate that they find it. This knowledge adheres inseparably to their souls, even more firmly than necessary knowledge of mathematical and physical truths, such as one being a third of three and a body not occupying two places at once. For the latter is merely abstract knowledge that they are not compelled to have; indeed, it may never occur to some of them.

As for this knowledge, not only are they compelled to possess it, but they are also compelled toward what it requires and entails: supplication, petition, humility, and submission to the One they invoke and worship, who is above. Thus, they are compelled both to know and to perform the action that follows this knowledge, namely, asking and seeking.

Even if some among them, when they imagine themselves self-sufficient, are driven by arrogance to turn away from this knowledge, acknowledgment, seeking, desire, and supplication—or are driven to do so by a false belief or a corrupt habit—this does not prevent the knowledge from being necessary. For this is among the gravest forms of sophistry, promoted by those who blindly follow their forefathers and seek supremacy and corruption