The first group imagined that he had a share in lordship, and so they began to invoke the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. Their veneration of him in their hearts became greater than their veneration of Allah—may Allah protect us—such that, when the Messenger is mentioned, their skins shudder; then they soften as though Allah had been mentioned.

But when Allah is mentioned, it is like cold water upon their skins: they do not stir. Such people have associated partners with Allah, for they have equated the Messenger with Allah; rather, they have made him greater than Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He.

The second group: “The disbelievers say, ‘This is a lying sorcerer.’” [Sad: 24] Or they claim that he lied in declaring his messengership to be universal, as the Christians who seek to ingratiate themselves with the Muslims say. Some Arabs were deceived by them and said, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, but only to the Arabs.” They confused people by citing His saying, Exalted is He: “He is the One Who raised up among the unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses.” [al-Jumu‘ah: 2] They say, “We are not unlettered; we are from the Children of Israel, from the People of the Book.”

The Christians say, “Our messenger is Jesus,” and they go to extremes concerning him until they make him a god alongside Allah.

The Jews say, “Jesus is a liar, the son of a prostitute”—and refuge is sought with Allah—“killed and crucified”; and their prophet is Moses.

In any case, we say to whoever claims that the Messenger’s mission, peace and blessings be upon him, was limited to the Arabs: “Do you believe that he is a Messenger?”

If he says, “Yes,” we say, “Does a messenger lie?”

If he says, “Yes,” his testimony is invalid, for a messenger does not lie; and if