and we have shown elsewhere that the Quran sets forth the foundations of religion—both its doctrines and their proofs—with the utmost precision and completeness. The substance of what the theologians and philosophers discuss is only part of what the Quran and hadith have explained. Yet the latter are free of the contradictions and inconsistencies found in their discourse, and encompass matters beyond the furthest reach of their reason, as well as matters they cannot hope to establish through their arguments.

We have also explained that the Lawgiver’s teaching and the guidance of revelation are not confined to merely conveying information, as some theologians and philosophers suppose. Such a supposition about the Lawgiver is precisely what has led them to disparage believers with accusations more properly and fittingly directed at themselves:

“Those who harm believing men and women for something they have not done bear the guilt of slander and manifest sin.” {58} [al-Ahzāb 58]

This is the condition of the disbelievers and hypocrites concerning whom Allah Most High said:

“When they are told, ‘Believe as others have believed,’ they say, ‘Should we believe as the fools have believed?’ Indeed, it is they who are the fools, but they do not know. {13} When they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We believe.’ But when they are alone with their devils, they say, ‘Indeed, we