and I have nothing.”

They have noted that in their language the word Urkoun signifies one of exalted station, and that arākina is its plural, meaning “the eminent ones.” They used to say about the Messiah, “Urkoun of the devils is assisting him,” that is, the chief of the devils—an accusation the Jews fabricated against the Messiah.

Thus the Messiah’s expression “Urkoun of the world” can apply only to the greatest, the master, the foremost person in the world. He informed them that this Urkoun would come, so it cannot be the Messiah himself or anyone like him. After the Messiah, no one has ruled the world and been obeyed by its people except Muḥammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and this is among the glad tidings the Messiah gave of him.

It is related that he, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked, “What was the beginning of your mission?” He answered, “The supplication of my forefather Abraham, the good news brought by Jesus, and the vision my mother saw when she bore me: a light emerged from her that illuminated the palaces of al-Shām.”

In short, it is unanimously acknowledged by the inhabitants of the earth that after the Messiah no one has come to preside over the world, inwardly and outwardly, so that hearts and bodies submitted to him and he was obeyed in