I say: Those who adopt this approach infer the temporal origination of the world from prophethood, since the Maker can be known independently of this, either through other proofs or through innate human nature. The truthfulness of the Messenger rests on premises that are self-evident and readily grasped, or on rational premises approaching self-evidence. His words are then used to establish the temporal origination of the world.

In discussing this approach, al-Khattābī stated that he did not reject the method based on accidents, but disliked it and turned away from it in favour of what he described as the approach of the early scholars, because the former is an innovation and has its pitfalls. In his epistle, Dispensing with Speculative Theology and Its Practitioners, however, he spoke more soundly than this and explained that it is forbidden, as al-Ashʿarī also stated in his Epistle to the People of the Frontier.

Al-Khattābī said in this epistle: “May Allah Most High protect us and you from misleading passions and opinions