And Mujāhid said:

“I recited the Quran to Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, from beginning to end, stopping at each verse and asking him about it.”

Al-Sha‘bī said:

“No one has ever introduced an innovation without its clarification being found in the Book of Allah.”

Masrūq said:

“The Companions of Muhammad were never asked about anything without knowledge of it being in the Quran, but our knowledge fell short of reaching it.”

This is a vast subject that has been discussed at length in its proper place.

The purpose here is to draw attention to the foundations of the “false doctrines” that have led to misguidance concerning knowledge of, and faith in, what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought. Anyone who holds that neither the Messenger nor Gabriel knew the meanings of the Quran revealed to him thereby holds that the Messenger lacked knowledge of matters conveyed by revelation, and does not regard the Quran as guidance or clarification for mankind.

Moreover, these people reject rational knowledge in this field altogether. Thus, they hold that the Messenger and his community possess neither rational nor revealed knowledge concerning “knowledge of Allah, Mighty and Majestic.” In this, they share common ground with the heretics in several respects. They are mistaken in attributing ignorance to the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and to the early generations, just as those who distort the texts and advance false interpretations, and all the other categories of heretics, are mistaken in this regard.

We shall cite the exact “words of the early generations” and the “words of those whose doctrine has been transmitted,” together with other lines of evidence, as far as this discussion allows, to make their doctrine known.