to recount. These matters are beyond the understanding of most people. At most, anyone discussing them can speak within the extent and measure of his knowledge and what he has heard, exerting himself to the utmost of his ability. This is what Abū Hāmid and others like him do when they strive and seek the truth, for all the breadth of their aims and their proficiency in many disciplines.

The remarks he quoted from Abū Hāmid were made by the latter when discussing the degrees of figurative interpretation and people’s disagreements concerning them. We have discussed what he said on this subject in al-Ajwiba al-Misriyya (The Egyptian Responses) and elsewhere, and we shall discuss