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that—on either supposition—the establishment of the proof is both more conducive to victory and more conducive to excuse.
Allah the Exalted says:
“We never punish until We have sent a messenger.” (Qur’an 17:15)
He also says:
“So that people may have no argument against Allah after the messengers.” (Qur’an 4:165)
And He says:
“Those who deliver the Reminder—so that it may serve as an excuse or a warning.” (Qur’an 77:5)
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“No one is more pleased to accept an excuse than Allah; for that reason He sent the messengers as bearers of glad tidings and as warners.”
التَّقْدِيرَيْنِ قِيَامُ الْحُجَّةِ أَنْصَرُ وَأَعْذَرُ،
وَقَدْ قَالَ تَعَالَى:
{وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا}
[الإسراء: ١٥]
.
وَقَالَ تَعَالَى:
{لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ}
[النساء: ١٦٥]
.
وَقَالَ تَعَالَى:
{فَالْمُلْقِيَاتِ ذِكْرًا عُذْرًا أَوْ نُذْرًا}
[المرسلات: ٥]
وَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«مَا أَحَدٌ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ الْعُذْرُ مِنَ اللَّهِ، مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ أَرْسَلَ الرُّسُلَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنْذِرِينَ»
.