And equivocation is a kind of lying, since it conveys a falsehood to the listener’s understanding. For this reason, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Abraham told only three lies, all of them for Allah’s sake.”

These were instances of equivocation, such as his statement about Sarah, “She is my sister,” since no believers were present besides him and her.

These people say that what Abraham and the prophets generally related concerning the unseen consists of lies expressed through equivocation. The majority of speculative theologians, however, do not say this. Rather, they say that the prophets intended to make things clear, not to equivocate. Nevertheless, the Jahmiyyah and others like them say that the truth is not explained in the prophets’ discourse; rather, their discourse contains only what points to falsehood.

Those speculative theologians among the Jahmiyyah, Mu'tazilah, Ash'ariyyah, and others who follow the argument from accidents to establish the existence of the Maker say that the Companions did not explain the foundations of religion—and neither did the Messenger—whether because they were occupied with jihad or for some other reason.

We have discussed these people at length elsewhere and explained that the foundations of the true religion, with which Allah sent down His Book and sent His Messenger—namely, the proofs, demonstrations, and signs that establish it—were explained by the Messenger in the clearest manner. He directed people and guided them to the rational proofs and conclusive demonstrations through which they come to know the truths concerning Allah and establish His lordship and oneness