the position of those who affirm is self-evident, nor that their position defies reason. Although they denounce them for things that repel many people, they do so to enlist that aversion in opposing them and suppressing their position—not because people’s aversion to them establishes truth or falsehood, nor because their position defies reason or its falsity is known through rational necessity or immediate intuition. I know of no leading speculative thinker among the advocates of negation who makes such a claim about any of his opponent’s affirmative positions, however extreme they may be.

It is well known that mere aversion on the part of those who recoil, or approval on the part of those who agree, establishes neither the soundness nor the falsity of a position, unless it is grounded in guidance from Allah. Rather, appealing to this as evidence amounts to appealing to the pursuit of desires without guidance from Allah.

For a person to follow his desires is to accept the statements and actions he likes and reject those he dislikes, without guidance from Allah. The Most High says:

“And indeed, many lead others astray through their desires without knowledge.”

He also says:

“But if they do not respond to you, then know that they only follow their desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah?”

The Most High said to David:

“And do not follow desire, lest it lead you astray from the way of Allah.”

The Most High also says:

“If they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our signs and those who do not believe in the Hereafter and who set others equal to their Lord.”

The Most High also says:

“Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, do not exceed the bounds of truth in your religion, and do not follow the desires of a people who went astray before, led many astray, and strayed from the right path.’”

The Most High also says:

“The Jews will never be pleased with you