The statement of the scholars of kalam: doubt, then reflection, then belief

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The questioner asks: Is this statement correct, that one should seek evidence and then believe?

Answer:
It is said that this is the view of the scholars of kalam. These are the scholars of kalam who do not possess the fitrah (the innate natural disposition); they do not affirm the fitrah upon which Allah created people. Rather, they hold that it is obligatory for you to doubt when you reach maturity, then to seek evidence, and then to believe. This is a false statement. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not command this, because every child is born upon the fitrah, and praise be to Allah. What is the first thing a boy is commanded to do when he reaches maturity? He is commanded to pray. He is commanded to pray: “Command your children to pray when they are seven years old, and beat them for it when they are ten.” It was not said, “Teach them to doubt, then to reflect, then to believe.” This is a false statement. Yes.