the philosophers. The philosophers adopted this method only because they do not affirm prophethood or acknowledge its reality. Thus, the strongest evidence they had for establishing these matters was the reasoning they based on these things. As for those who affirm prophethood, Allah Most High has spared them this and relieved them of the arduous burden of following this tortuous path, whose riders are not safe from hardship, nor its travellers from their mounts failing and leaving them stranded.

The position of the early imams of the Muslims—may Allah have mercy on them all—and their way of establishing knowledge of the Maker, glorified and exalted be He, affirming His oneness and attributes, and establishing all the other matters that the speculative theologians claim can be reached only through their proposed approach, may be explained as follows: when Allah, glorified and exalted be He, wished to honour those whom He guided to know Him, He sent His Messenger Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as a bearer of glad tidings, a warner, one who calls to Allah by His permission, and an illuminating lamp.