Allah, Exalted is He, also commanded him to say:

“Say, ‘I do not tell you that I possess the treasures of Allah, nor that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me.’” [al-An‘am: 50]

In another verse, He said to him:

“Say, ‘I have no power to harm or guide you.’ Say, ‘No one can protect me from Allah, and I shall never find any refuge apart from Him.’” [al-Jinn]

That is, if Allah had willed harm for him, no one could have prevented it. He was a servant among Allah’s servants. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most fearful of Allah and the most steadfast of people in worshipping Him. Indeed, he would stand in prayer for Allah, Exalted is He, until his feet became swollen. It would be said to him, “Allah has forgiven you your past and future sins.” He would reply, “Should I not then be a grateful servant?” (1)

His statement, “and His Messenger,” means: the one whom He sent. Allah, Exalted is He, sent him and made him an intermediary between Himself and His creation solely in conveying His law. Were it not for the Messenger of Allah, we would not know how to worship Allah, Exalted is He. Thus, he was a Messenger from Allah to His creation—what an excellent Messenger he was, what an excellent Sender, and how excellent was the message with which he was sent. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was a Messenger sent by Allah; he was the best of the Messengers, their Seal, and their leader. Thus, when they were assembled for him on the Night of the Ascension, he led them in prayer, even though he was the last of them, peace and blessings be upon him. (2)

From these two descriptions of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him—servitude and messengership—the misguidance of two groups that went astray concerning him becomes clear.