every interval between messengers a remnant of scholars who call those who have gone astray to guidance and patiently endure their harm. Through Allah’s Book they bring the dead to life, and through Allah’s light they give sight to the blind. How many victims of Satan they have revived, and how many lost wanderers they have guided! How good their influence on people, and how evil people’s treatment of them!

They purge Allah’s Book of the distortions of extremists, the false claims of those who promote falsehood, and the misinterpretations of the ignorant—those who have raised the banners of innovation and given free rein to discord. They oppose the Book, differ over the Book, and agree on abandoning the Book. They attribute claims to Allah and speak about Him and His Book without knowledge. They use ambiguous language and deceive ignorant people through the confusion they create for them. We therefore seek refuge in Allah from the trials stirred up by those who lead others astray.”

The ninth point: It may be said: Suppose they did not agree on the presence of