upon them at that time with a curse and with wrath; they shall remain under a perpetual curse, weighed down by humiliation and destitution, until I raise up the Prophet from the descendants of Ishmael—the one about whom I gave Hagar glad tidings when I sent My angel to announce it to her.

I will reveal to that Prophet, teach him the Names, and adorn him with reverent piety. I shall make righteousness his emblem, piety his inner core, truthfulness his speech, loyalty his nature, moderation his way, and sound guidance his practice. I will single him out with a Book that confirms the Scriptures already in their hands while abrogating part of what they contain.

I shall take him on a night journey to Me, elevating him from one heaven to the next until he ascends; then I will draw him near, greet him with peace, and reveal to him. After that I shall return him to My servants filled with joy and elation, safeguarding what has been entrusted to him and proclaiming openly whatever he is commanded.

With gentle speech and heartfelt admonition he will call people to My oneness: he will be neither harsh nor coarse, nor loud in the marketplaces; kind to those who ally themselves with him, merciful to those who believe in him, yet stern toward those who oppose him. He will summon his people to