visible signs, for these point to Him, His creation, His power and His will. They also indicate His commands and prohibitions, His love and hatred, and His displeasure and pleasure. Thus, His punishment of those who deny the prophets indicates that He commands them to believe in the prophets and loves such belief, and that He forbids them to deny the prophets and hates such denial.

The visible signs in creation therefore indicate His power and His legislation for them, His creation and His command. Likewise, the revealed Quranic signs that are heard indicate both. Through these verbal signs, He has directed us to draw inferences from those visible signs that constitute rational evidence. Thus, both rational and transmitted proofs are indicated.

When the rational proofs thus indicated are understood, and their bearing on the intended conclusion is recognized through reason alone—even if the revealed text had not conveyed them—this constitutes conclusive rational evidence. Yet it is derived from transmitted, verbal evidence, since that evidence pointed to it, guided us to it and drew our attention to it. If this is found among the benefits derived from the words of created beings, then what is derived from the words of the Creator is greater and loftier still. And Allah Most High knows best.