Allah as He deserves, that they fall within the scope of this verse, and that they have not affirmed His power to act, to speak as He wills, to descend, or to send anything down from Himself. They are therefore among those furthest from believing in Allah’s power and that He has power over all things. If He were not powerful, He would not be strong. Their position also entails that He has created nothing, and consequently they fall within His words:

“Weak are the seeker and the sought.”

“They have not esteemed Allah as He deserves. Indeed, Allah is Strong, Almighty.”

Thus, they deny the reality of His eternal power. What their position actually amounts to is that He became capable after having been incapable, while the power they affirm has no reality.

This is an important principle. Whoever grasps it will understand the true nature of false doctrines and their necessary implications, and will recognize the truth indicated by authentic transmitted texts and clear reason—especially concerning these fundamental principles, which underlie all other principles. Those who went astray in these matters neglected the foundations and were consequently prevented from reaching the truth.

It has become clear that whenever realities are thoroughly ascertained and reflection and reasoning are given their full due, what the Quran indicates proves to be the truth, in agreement with clear reason that has not been confused with other things called rational but which are themselves confused and muddled. Thus, concerning the words of the Most High:

“Indeed, those who divided their religion and became sects,”

Mujāhid said: “They are the people of religious innovation and specious arguments.” Their views are thus innovations in religion and confused in reason.

What is correct is that which accords with revelation and is clear to reason. For Allah, exalted is He, has stated that the Quran is sent down from Him, that it is a revelation from Him, that it is His speech and His word, and that He has declared whoever says it is the word of a human being to be an unbeliever. He has also stated that it is the word of a noble messenger from among the angels and of a noble messenger