If it has not been established (1), these verses and all others of similar import are rendered void. But if the proof has been established through the Messenger’s explanation, it is known that there is no need for another designated individual (2) upon whose explanation people must depend, much less for [preserving] (3) his conveyance. The human capacity Allah has created for transmitting the Messenger’s words and explanation is sufficient for this—especially since Allah has guaranteed the preservation of the Reminder He revealed, which is thus secure against substitution or alteration.

In sum, the claim of these forsaken people that Islam can neither be preserved nor understood except through one designated individual is one of the gravest corruptions of the foundations of the religion (4). No one would say this—while understanding its implications—except a heretical unbeliever intent (5) on abolishing the religion. It gains acceptance only with someone steeped in ignorance and error.

The twelfth argument:

It may be said: It is necessarily known that the Quran and Sunnah reached most Muslims without being transmitted by Alī. When Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—conquered the provinces, he sent learned Companions to Syria and Iraq to teach the people and instruct them in religion. Knowledge then passed from those Companions to the rest of the Muslims. What Alī conveyed to the Muslims was no greater than what Ibn Masūd, Muādh ibn Jabal, and others like them conveyed.

This is a well-known fact. If the religion had been preserved only through transmission from Alī, most of the religion would have been lost, for only a small amount could possibly be transmitted from Alī—far too little to accomplish the intended purpose,