Page:The philosophy and theology of Averroes.djvu/49

 guard the life and property of the people from one another and that there is no goal for men other than this life, then he is certainly an unbeliever.

When th1is has once been established it will become clear to you that interpretation is not lawful in the exoteric part of the Law. If the canon of interpretation be used in the principles of the Law, it is infidelity, and if used in general things it is an innovation. But there is also a certain exoteric law which requires an interpretation from learned men. It is not misbelief for them to take it exoterically, but it is so or is at least an innovation in religion if ignorant men try to interpret or explain it.

Among these is the verse of Equalisation and the Tradition of Descent. For the Prophet said of a Negro slave girl who told him that God was in heaven: "Emancipate her, for she is a believer.' For there are persons who cannot believe a thing except through their imagination, that is, it is difficult for them to