Reminder

Another matter that indicates weakness of belief, or a tendency towards the Sophists' way, or a perusing customer, is the idiotic statement: "This fact is opposed to religion." For the person who deems it possible that something established by decisive proof to be true and right is opposed to religion, and is frightened of such contraiety, either has a Sophist hidden in his brain who is confusing it, or a whispering devil has pierced his heart and being concealed there is inciting a revolution, or he is again thinking of taking up religion and is examining it critically.

The Second Matter

The Second Matter

It's no secret that the Bull (Taurus) and the Fish (Pisces) in the famous story are intruders on Islam and spongers. They became Muslim together with their narrator. If you like, go to the Third Premise and see by which door they entered Islam. And look in the mirror of the Fourth Premise for its relation to Ibn 'Abbas; you'll see the reason for its appropriation. It was subsequently narrated as a Hadith: "The earth rests on a bull and a fish."

Firstly: We do not accept that it is a Hadith, for it has signs of being israiliyyat. [^30]

[^30]:Israiliyyat, see, page 15 fn 2 above.

Secondly: Even if it is a Hadith, it is narrated from a single source (âhâd), which infers doubt. It may not be included among the tenets of belief, because for those certain knowledge is requisite.

Thirdly: Even though there is agreement in narrations concerning it (mütewâtir) and its text is certain, there is nothing definite to substantiate it. If you wish, refer to the Fifth Premise and consult the Eleventh. You'll see that just as fanciful imaginings deluded the literalists; so the literalists distorted the Hadith's correct aspects. The correct aspects are threefold:

The bearers of the divine throne, called the Bull, the Vulture, Man, and others, are angels. The Bull and Fish are two such angels. For it is contrary to the world's order to load the sublime throne on