Some extremists among the speculative theologians claim that consensus cannot be used as evidence for anything. Others among them say that it cannot validly be used as evidence in matters requiring certain knowledge, because it yields only probability. There are various other claims of this kind, which this is not the place to discuss. Humanity has differed greatly over the paths to knowledge and probable belief, and the means of reaching them through evidence or inward or outward observation, whether general or particular.

Likewise, many adherents of hadith and the Sunnah may deny that anyone can attain knowledge through any path other than the one familiar to them, even denying most rational evidence without any proof for doing so. Similarly, some speculative theologians deny the spiritual unveilings experienced by Allah’s close servants, while some of our own associates go to extremes concerning them. The best course lies between the extremes.

Thus, the paths of reason, transmission, unveiling, reports, and reflection—the methods employed by the adherents of hadith, speculative theology, and Sufism—have been disputed, with people affirming or denying them. Some reject whatever they do not know; others go to extremes concerning what they do know, elevating it beyond its proper worth and rejecting everything else.

Speculative theologians and philosophizers exalt rational methods, many of which are unsound and contradictory. They are the most contradictory and divided of Allah’s creatures, each group refuting what the other claims to be certain.