sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although before that they were in manifest error.”

If they claim that these people existed after our Messenger, peace be upon him, we ask them: In what period did they exist? Who was the first of them? By what verse, what well-known hadith in the Six Books, and what consensus transmitted through numerous independent channels from the first three generations has their existence in these numbers been established, so that we should believe in it? For beliefs are to be held only on the basis of these three forms of evidence and rational proof:

“Say: Bring your proof, if you are truthful.”

If they do not produce these four forms of evidence sanctioned by the revealed Law, they are undoubtedly lying, and we do not accept their falsehoods as beliefs. Their claim would also entail that Allah, glorified and exalted be He, provides for the unbelievers and grants them victory over their enemy directly, without an intermediary, but provides for the believers and grants them victory through created intermediaries. Yet honour lies in the absence of an intermediary, as in “the spirit of Allah” and “the she-camel of Allah.” Reflect without becoming bewildered, and commit this principle firmly to memory.

“As for the titles al-ghawth and al-ghiyāth (succour and aid)”

None but Allah deserves them, for He is the source of aid for those who seek it. Thus, no one may seek deliverance from anyone other than Him, neither an angel brought near to Him nor a prophet sent by Him. Whoever claims that the people of the earth submit their petitions, in which they seek