ambiguous passages, and that one should stop at the words of the Most High: “No one knows its interpretation except Allah” [Āl Imrān 7]. Although those versed in demonstration agree that this category calls for interpretation, they may differ over its interpretation.

I say: Those whom he calls “people of demonstration” here are those we have identified among the Jahmiyya and the Dahriyya (eternalists). He has contradicted himself here, for we have already cited what he stated in his book Manāhij al-adilla (Methods of Proof), in refuting the scholars of foundational principles. His exact words are: “All philosophers agree that Allah Most High and the angels are in heaven, just as all revealed religions agree on this.” We have also cited his statement that among the ancient views and religious teachings of bygone times is the view that the realm above is the abode of spiritual beings—by which they mean Allah and the angels—and his statement, “It has