Note

The principal beliefs of the Islamic religion and their truths are proved and explicated in all their details in the books on Islam, and are there to be seen. Since to point out what may be seen obscures the obvious or infers the stupidity of the one addressed and his ignorance, I am going to expound only three or four elements of those beliefs, and for the other truths refer readers to the books of the authoritative scholars. For they have left no need for me.

Premise

It is known by the heedful and attentive that, in short, the Qur'an has four [main] aims: proof of the Single Maker, prophethood, the resurrection of the body, and justice.

The First Aim explicates evidences (delâil) of the Maker. One proof (bürhan) of Him is Muhammad (Upon whom be blessings and peace). The Maker's existence and unity are beyond any need of proof. They are abundantly clear and obvious, especially for Muslims. As a consequence, I have directed my address to foreigners, and the Japanese in particular, for at one time they asked me some questions and I replied to them. Now I am going to recount briefly a part of my answer to only one or two of their questions. One of their questions was:

What is a clear proof of the existence of the God you are calling us to? What was creation out of? Was it ex nihilo, out of nothing? Or out of matter? Or from Himself? And other frequently asked questions.

That is to say: Is there clear proof of the Maker's existence?

Indication

Indication

Knowledge of God, which is infinite, cannot be contained in limited words such as these. It is therefore to be hoped that any ambiguity in what I have to say will be excused.

Note

The purpose of the following discussion is to point out the way to employ the reason and to weigh up matters so that the truth may become manifest in the whole. For, due to the mind's particularity,