or two substances or more? Or six? Or eight? Or something else? Some say that a body is that in which three dimensions can be conceived, and that it is composed of matter and form. Others say that it is whatever exists, or whatever exists in its own right, and that nothing can exist otherwise.

The early generations and the imams who condemned discussion of substance, body, and accident and declared it an innovation also condemned those who introduce the meanings these people intend by such terms into the foundations of religion—both its proofs and its doctrinal questions, whether by negation or affirmation. If, however, someone understands the sound meanings established by the Quran and Sunnah and expresses them in these terms to those who understand them, so as to clarify which of these people’s meanings accord with the truth and which contradict it, this is immensely beneficial. It is a form of judging by the Book between people concerning their disagreements, as Allah Most High says:

“Mankind was one community. Then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of glad tidings and warnings, and sent down with them the Book in truth, to judge between people concerning that over which they differed.”

This is like judging by the Book between other nations concerning their disagreements over meanings that they express according to their own terminology and customary usage. This requires understanding the meanings of the Quran and Sunnah, understanding the meanings these people express through their terms, and then weighing the latter against the former to reveal what accords with them and what contradicts them.

As for the questioner’s statement, “If this is deemed permissible, what is the justification, when we have understood him, peace be upon him, to have forbidden discussion of certain questions?” the reply is that the necessary clarification and distinctions have already been given in answering the question, and that what truly constitutes the foundations of the religion with which Allah sent His Messenger