The Second Way
The first page, that is, the past. Attention needs to be drawn to four points on this page:
The First: If a person acquires the principles, spirit, and bases of a science or a tale and constructs his assertions on them, he will display his skill and proficiency in that science.
The Second: Brother! If you know human nature, you will be aware that no matter how inconsequential, opposing views cannot be voiced concerning some minor case among few people or a small tribe. So if a cause of the very greatest importance which comprises matters exceeding human reason, is advanced boldly and fearlessly and with the utmost assurance among very numerous predominantly illiterate peoples who display extremes of obduracy, you will see that truthfulness will rise like the sun over everyone’s heads out of what is written and what is said.
The Third: There are many theoretical sciences which, while remaining unknown to nomadic peoples, for the civilised have become axiomatic due to the inculcation of customs and practices. In consequence, if one is to judge the nomads’ circumstances, one has to imagine oneself as present in their desert habitations. If you wish, you may refer to the Second Premise above, for it sets out this point clearly.
The Fourth: If an illiterate person propounds his ideas before the ulema concerning some current science, and agrees with the points on which they are agreed and disagrees with the points of dispute and corrects any errors, it establishes his superiority and that his knowledge is not acquired. In accordance with these points
we say this: notwithstanding his well‑known illiteracy, the Most Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) traversed time with his fleet, untrammelled spirit and entered the hidden depths of the past then described the circumstances and secrets of the previous prophets as though he had been present and witnessed them. He attracted the gaze of all the intelligent and proclaimed his mighty cause before the whole world. In preparation he fearlessly and with utter confidence announced the principles of his cause, which in essence were similar to the endeavours of the previous prophets’ missions and their mysteries. The facts that he related to us the stories of the prophets and affirmed the points of agreement of the previous scriptures and corrected points of difference, furnish necessary proof of his veracity and prophethood.
Addendum: The proofs of the prophethood of all the previous prophets are evidence of Muhammad’s (UWBP) veracity, and all their miracles are in effect a miracle of his. You will understand this if you ponder over it carefully.
Indication Brother! Sometimes an oath may take the place of a proof, because it comprises the proof. In which case,
By He Who recounted to him the stories of the prophets and caused his spirit to travel to the depths of the past and peaks of the future, thereby disclosing to him the mysteries concealed in the prophets’ missions; his penetrating view was too fine to be deceived, his way too true and lofty to deceive people.
Yes, indeed! Fancy could not present itself as truth to the light of his gaze; his true way disdained deception.