rather, what truly deserves astonishment is their very astonishment; indeed, it is a marvel whose wonder never ceases. Every rational person is amazed at someone who has learned the religion of Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—seeks the truth, and yet follows something else, knowing full well that no one would do so except a person drowning in ignorance and misguidance, or a person steeped in injustice and the pursuit of whims.

The people of the earth fall into two categories: the People of the Scripture—that is, the Jews and the Christians—and everyone else, such as the polytheists among the Arabs, Indians, Turks, and the like; the Magians among the Persians; the Sabaeans found among the philosophers; and others besides.

Furthermore, the People of the Scripture admit that all who are not of their number benefited in an evident way from the prophethood of Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and that he called every group