the two texts, namely that He is within the world and outside it. All three positions have been held by various groups. As for his position and that of his associates—that He is neither within the world nor outside it—it contradicts all the texts and amounts to abandoning adherence to all the verses of the Quran. It is a matter of necessary knowledge in the religion of the Muslims, and of all who believe in the messengers, that this is false. Thus, the falsity of his position is necessarily known in Islam.

The fourth response makes this clearer: There is no doubt that the Quran contains a great many texts affirming His being on high and above creation. Some may claim that these few verses indicate that He is within the world. If the obligation were to follow one set and interpret the other non-literally, or vice versa, or to follow both together, this might be considered permissible.

But if the truth is contrary to what is understood and apprehended from all the verses, and the Book gives no indication of this truth—that He is neither within the world nor outside it—either explicitly or by its apparent meaning, then the Book that Allah sent down and made a guidance for mankind would abound in verses containing no guidance. Indeed, their apparent meaning would instead lead astray and amount to unbelief, while the truth that must be believed would never once have been mentioned in it. It is well known that someone who speaks at length in words whose apparent meaning is the opposite of the truth, yet says nothing in which the truth is apparent, would not be guiding people to the truth