Facsimile · p. 180
The Almighty God has favored His servants by transcending limitations and going beyond the rational to discuss qualities. Based on this conviction about the role of reason in belief, Ibn Tumart followed the rational path in establishing creed. He considered belief to be valid only when it is based on rational conviction, as we will clarify when analyzing his creedal views. Secondly: Reason in the realm of Sharia: The issue of the relationship between reason and Sharia occupied his thoughts and various observations on this matter, forming a comprehensive picture based on two fundamental pillars: The first is that reason does not contradict Sharia, and the second is that reason does not establish Sharia. Reason does not contradict Sharia: Al-Mahdi emphasizes that the legal rulings of Sharia are in accordance with the principles of reason. Therefore, they are not contradictory to it, but rather in harmony with it and in line with its rulings. The evidence for this truth is the inversion of realities, where the obligatory becomes permissible, the permissible becomes impossible, and the impossible becomes permissible, until it leads to the conjunction of opposites, which is impossible. What leads to it is also impossible. This truth leads to the conclusion that reason is capable of comprehending the wisdom upon which Sharia is based, and is facilitated in discovering it. This is what Al-Mahdi affirmed in his statement: "This is a response to some who lack morality in their assertions that Sharia has no wisdom and is not in accordance with reason, thus attacking religion and being ignorant of the wisdom of God Almighty." However, while reason is capable of understanding the wisdom of Sharia, this does not necessitate that it can encompass all the reasons for the rulings. Rather, some rulings have reasons that transcend reason, but without being unknown. Risala fi Tasbih al-Bari: Ibn Tumart Jahul, Sharh A'azz ma Yutlab Ibn Tumart, Risala fi Anna al-Sharia la Tathbut bil-'Aql