When they finally grasped the loftiness of his aspiration, saw that his conduct ranked among the most perfect of ways, and realized that his summons—directed to all people—called them to guidance with an effort that never slackened, and that he stood upright for Allah, championing the religion without fearing danger, they grew wary of his power. From the moment they entered his precincts and witnessed realities that surpassed every report, and beheld his guiding countenance, they found themselves confronted by a resolve aided by the Lord of the Throne, the All-Powerful.

He met them with uninterrupted chains of transmission, carried down from trustworthy guides, those radiant leaders. He advanced proofs whose testimony is universally accepted, distinguishing between words that are sound and those that are rejected, demonstrating with luminous evidences by which anyone possessed of vision is guided to true knowledge. So they submitted, compelled, when they saw the light of truth openly displayed; no room remained for dispute or debate—they yielded with the surrender of the vanquished.

Such has always been the pattern known among people: whoever sets himself against him is seldom restored to guidance until he himself becomes an object lesson.

All praise, then, is due to Allah—his Guardian and Helper, the One who chose him and protects him from the turns of fate. And the most complete, pure blessings be upon His Messenger (1), the specially selected, the elect of the tribe of Mudar—Muhammad, the master and guide—and upon his family and his noble Companions, those resplendent stars. May the Almighty bless them whenever the doves of the grove trill their melodies at the break of dawn.

It is finished; all praise belongs to Allah alone, and may Allah bless our master Muhammad, his family, and his Companions (2).