Such is the case with the hadith of the prophet...

Such is the case with the hadith of the prophet, "The black stone is God's action on Earth," etc., etc. That which can be easily known that is an example, but difficult to know of which it is an example, should not be interpreted but for the sake of particular persons and learned men.

Those who understand that it is only an illustration, but are not learned enough to know the thing which it illustrates, should be told either that it is allegorical and can be understood by the well-established learned men; or the illustration should be changed in a way which might be near to their understanding. This would be the best plan to dispel doubts from their minds.

The law about this should be that which has been laid down by Abu Hamid (Al Ghazzali) in his book, Al Tafriga bainal Islam wal Zindiga . It should be understood that one thing has five existences which he calls by the name of essential ( Zati ); sensual ( Hissi ); rational ( Agli ); imaginative ( Khayali ); and doubtful ( Shilbhi ). So at the time of doubt it should be considered which of these five kinds would better satisfy the man who has doubts.

If it be that which he has called essential than an illustration would best satisfy their minds. In it is also included the following hadith of the Prophet, "Whatever the earlier prophets saw I have seen it from my place here, even heaven and hell;" "Between my cistern of water and the pulpit there is a garden of paradise;" and "The earth will eat up the whole of a man except the extremity of the tail." All these, it can easily be known are but illustrations, but what is the thing which they illustrate it is difficult to comprehend.

So it is necessary in this case to give an instance to the people which they may easily understand. This kind of illustration, when used on such an occasion, is allowable; but when used irrelevantly it is wrong. Abu Hamid has not decided about the occasion when both the sides of the question -- the illustration and the illustrated -- be both far-fetched and difficult to understand. In this case there would apparently be a doubt, but a doubt without any foundation.

What should be done is to prove that the doubt has no basis, but no interpretation should be made, as we have shown in many places in our present book against the Mutakallimun, Asharites and the Mutazilites. The fourth kind of occasion is quite opposite to the former.