the Messenger; rather, it is because the Messenger enjoins what Allah has enjoined, forbids what Allah has forbidden, loves what Allah loves, detests what Allah detests, shows loyalty to the allies of Allah and hostility toward His enemies.

Whoever therefore pledges allegiance to him, committing to listen and obey, has in fact pledged allegiance to Allah on that very basis; and whoever obeys him has truly obeyed Allah.

The same applies to the Messiah and all the other messengers: they command only what Allah commands, forbid only what Allah forbids, befriend Allah’s friends and oppose His foes. Thus, whoever obeys them has obeyed Allah; whoever believes them and accepts from them what they report has accepted it from Allah; whoever allies himself with them has allied himself with Allah; and whoever opposes and fights them has opposed and fought against Allah.

Anyone who reflects on these matters will realize that the term “indwelling” (hulūl) may sometimes convey a sound meaning and at other times a corrupt one. The same is true of speaking about His speech indwelling hearts, and for that reason Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal disapproved