which are well known and were recorded by Abū Dāwūd in his Sunan:

“Accept the truth from whoever brings it, even if he is a disbeliever—or he said, ‘a wicked man’—and beware the lapse of a wise man.”

They asked, “How can we know when a disbeliever speaks a word of truth?”

He replied, “Truth has a light”—or words to that effect.

As for establishing this with evidence, dispelling the doubts that arise, and examining the matter thoroughly so that certainty reaches the heart and brings it peace, and one understands where people’s views stand in these wildernesses—this fatwa does not allow sufficient scope for that. I have previously written something on this subject and discussed some of it with certain people who attend our gatherings. Perhaps, Allah willing, I shall write something that achieves the intended purpose.

The essence of the matter is this: the Book and the Sunnah provide complete guidance and light to anyone who reflects upon Allah’s Book and His Prophet’s Sunnah, seeks to follow the truth, and shuns distorting words from their proper meanings and deviating concerning Allah’s names and signs. No one should imagine that any of these texts contradict one another in any way.

For example, someone might say that what the Book and the Sunnah state about Allah being above the Throne is contradicted by the apparent meaning of His words:

“And He is with you wherever you are,”

and the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“When one of you stands to pray, Allah is before his face,”

and other such texts. This is a mistake.