what recitation was permissible during it, what marked its commencement—when other acts became prohibited—and what marked its conclusion—when they became permissible again; nor had He set out many of its other rulings. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—therefore made clear what Allah—glorious and mighty—intended by all of this.

Likewise, Allah made zakat obligatory in His Book but did not specify how much was due on silver, gold, sheep, camels, cattle, crops, or fruit. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—therefore made clear what Allah—glorious and mighty—intended by this. Similarly, regarding fasting, he explained what was permissible for the fasting person and what was forbidden to him.

Likewise, Allah—glorious and mighty—made Hajj obligatory upon those of His servants who were able to undertake the journey, but He—glorious and mighty—did not state how one was to enter into Hajj by reciting the talbiya, nor did He set out many of the rulings binding upon a pilgrim in ihram. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—explained these matters stage by stage. He likewise explained the rulings governing jihad and those governing selling and buying.

Likewise, Allah—glorious and mighty—prohibited usury for the Muslims and threatened them with severe punishment for engaging in it, but He did not explain to them in the Book what constituted usury. The Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—therefore explained it to them. The same is true of many other rulings whose detailed explanation would be lengthy: the contents of the Book could not be understood except