with a certainty that admits no contrary possibility, despite lacking knowledge to warrant it. Thus, they believe what they have not been commanded to believe, either inwardly or outwardly. They pursue aims they have not been commanded to pursue and undertake inquiry they have not been commanded to undertake. Neither their inquiry nor their intent, therefore, warrants forgiveness for what they did not know. They are consequently either wrongdoers resembling those who have incurred wrath, or ignorant people resembling those who have gone astray.

One who undertakes purely scholarly inquiry has no aim other than the truth and has followed the path leading to it. By contrast, one who follows desire alone knows the truth but stubbornly resists it. There is also another category—to which most people belong—whose desires are entangled with misconceptions, so that desire and misconception combine.

For this reason, a mursal (disconnected) hadith reports that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah loves keen discernment when doubts arise, and He loves sound judgment when desires arise.”

Thus, one whose scholarly inquiry is untainted is forgiven and rewarded, whereas one who follows desire alone deserves punishment. As for someone whose inquiry combines misconception and desire, he is at fault. Such people differ in degree according to which predominates and according to the good deeds that efface their misdeeds.