Three Theological Treatises

And there are many examples of this, nearly five hundred verses which we have collected in our book The Gems of the Quran original: "Jawahir al-Quran". Through these verses, people ought to recognize the Majesty and Greatness of the Creator. This is because the specialized logic of the Scholastic Theologians original: "al-Mutakallimun," scholars who used Greek-inspired logic to defend Islamic tenets—which argues that "accidents" are temporary and that "substances" cannot exist without these accidents, therefore making them created, and every created thing requires a Creator—is a series of technical details and premises. Proving these through formal, academic methods only serves to confuse the hearts of the common folk original: "al-Awam," referring to those not trained in advanced logic or law.

In contrast, the clear proofs found in the Quran, which are accessible to the understanding, satisfy them, put their souls at ease, and plant firm convictions in their hearts. As for the proof of the Oneness of God, the Quran provides sufficient conviction in His saying:

Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. Quran 21:22

Indeed, the meeting of two competing directors is a cause for the ruin of any management. Similarly, consider His saying:

If there were with Him other gods, as they say, then they [those gods] would have sought a way to the Owner of the Throne. Quran 17:42

And His words, Exalted be He:

Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have sought to overcome others. Quran 23:91

As for the truthfulness of the Messenger, it is proven by His saying, Exalted be He:

Say, "If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants." Quran 17:88

And by His saying:

Then produce a Surah [chapter] like it. Quran 2:23

And His saying:

Then produce ten Surahs like it, fabricated. Quran 11:13

And other similar verses. As for the Day of Judgment, it is proven by His saying, Exalted be He:

He says, "Who will give life to bones while they are disintegrated?" Say, "He will give them life who produced them the first time." Quran 36:78-79

And by His saying:

Does man think that he will be left neglected? Was he not a drop of sperm emitted? Quran 75:36-37

Up to His saying:

Is not That [Creator] able to give life to the dead? Quran 75:40

And by His saying:

O people, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust... Quran 22:5

Up to His saying:

...and when We send down rain upon it, it quivers and swells. Indeed, He who gives it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Quran 41:39

There are many such examples in the Quran, and one should not attempt to add more to them. Now, if it is asked: "These are the very same proofs that the theologians rely upon and use to establish their evidence; why then are the commoners forbidden from other types of evidence but not from these?"

---

All of this is perceivable through the use of reason and reflection. If the commoner is allowed to open the door of inquiry, let it be opened fully. Or, let him have no path to inquiry at all and be tasked with blind following original: "al-Taqlid," following a scholar's ruling without knowing the specific evidence without any proof.

The answer is that evidence is divided into two types: that which requires deep, precise thinking that is beyond the capacity and power of the common man, and that which is self-evident and immediately clear to the mind upon first glance, which all people share the ability to perceive. Because the latter is easy for everyone to grasp, there is no danger in it. But that which requires technical precision has no set limit to its complexity.

The proofs of the Quran are like nourishment from which every human being benefits. The proofs of the theologians are like medicine, which benefits a few individuals but harms the majority. Furthermore, the Quranic proofs are like water, which is beneficial to the nursing infant, the strong man, and everyone else. All other technical proofs are like complex foods; they might benefit a strong man once but make him sick another time, and they do not benefit children at all.

For this reason, we say that even when one listens to the Quranic proofs, they should be heard as clear speech; one should not persist in making the matter more obscure than it is, nor should one burden oneself with precision of thought or technical investigation. For the one who understands the clear beginning is more capable of understanding the rest, as He said:

And He it is who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. Quran 30:27

Just as management cannot be maintained in a single house by two directors, how could it be maintained in the entirety of the world? And surely, He who created must also know, as He, the Exalted, said:

Does He who created not know? Quran 67:14

These are proofs that flow for the common people like the water through which God has made every living thing. However, what the theologians have innovated—adding scrutiny, questioning, and the raising of objections, then occupying themselves with resolving them—all of that is a blameworthy innovation original: "bid'a". Its harm to the general public is obvious, and it is what ought to be avoided.

The proof of the harm it causes to people is found in observation and experience: the discord that has erupted among people since the theologians emerged and the craft of Kalam technical dialectical theology spread, whereas the first era of the Companions the Sahaba, the first generation of Muslims was safe from such things. It is also proven by the fact that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and all of the Companions did not follow such paths in debate...