that, let the Quran and hadith signify whatever they may; we are not obliged to know what they signify.”

They thus share in denying the meanings intended by Allah Most High and His Messenger. Some of them then claimed that certain other meanings were intended, although examination showed that they were not. They denied what Allah Most High and His Messenger intended, saying, “The evidence we have rules it out,” while the meanings they imposed upon the words of Allah and His Messenger were intended by neither Allah Most High nor His Messenger.

Others then said, “We agree with you in denying those meanings you have denied. As for your interpretations of the Quran and hadith, their falsity has also become clear. We therefore turn away from reflecting upon the Quran and hadith and understanding their meaning. After that, whatever they signify does us no harm.”

These people call for denying the meanings of revelation and for simple ignorance concerning the interpretation and explanation of the Quran, while the others offer compound ignorance in interpretation and explanation. Thus, these are:

“Like a mirage on a plain which a thirsty man takes for water, until, when he reaches it, he finds it to be nothing, but finds Allah there, who settles his account in full. And Allah is swift in reckoning. (39)” [al-Nūr 39]

And those are:

“Like layers of darkness, one above another. When he stretches out his hand, he can scarcely see it. Whoever Allah does not grant light has no light. (40)” [al-Nūr 40]