Al-Bayhaqī also stated in his Book of Creed what al-Khattābī mentioned in al-Ghunya ‘an al-Kalām wa-Ahlihi:

“Some who have investigated the existence of the Maker and the world’s beginning in time have followed a method of reasoning based on the premises of prophethood and the miracles of messengership. The evidence for these is obtained through sensory perception by those who witness them, and through widely transmitted reports by those who do not. Once prophethood is established, it becomes a basis for the obligation to accept what the Prophet calls people to. This was how most of those who responded to the Messenger came to believe.”

He mentioned the account of Ja‘far and his companions with the Negus, the account of the Bedouin who asked, “Who created the heaven?”, and other accounts.

I say:

Many speculative theologians maintain that knowledge of the Lord’s existence must come first, together with knowledge of His attributes by which it is known that He is the One who manifests the miracle. Otherwise, it would be impossible to infer from the miracle that the messenger is truthful, let alone that the Lord exists. As for the method mentioned by the earlier scholars, it is sound if precisely formulated. The Quran presents it in the account of Pharaoh, who denied the Lord.

Allah Most High says:

“Go, both of you, to Pharaoh and say, ‘We are messengers of the Lord of all worlds.’”

“Send the Children of Israel with us.”

“He said, ‘Did we not raise you among us as a child?’”

—up to His words—

“Pharaoh said, ‘And what is the Lord of all worlds?’”

“He said, ‘The Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them, if you would be certain.’”

“He said to those around him, ‘Do you not hear?’”

“He said, ‘Your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.’”

“He said, ‘Indeed, this messenger of yours who has been sent to you is truly mad.’”

“He said, ‘The Lord of the east and the west and everything between them, if you would use reason.’”

“He said, ‘If you take any god other than me