It is also evident that Muhammad’s triumph—and that of his community—over the People of the Book, the Jews and the Christians, is of the same order as their triumph over the idol-worshipping polytheists. This stands among the hallmarks of his prophethood and the proofs of his messengership. It bears no resemblance to the domination of Nebuchadnezzar over the Children of Israel, nor to the occasions when the unbelievers overpower the Muslims; moreover, this very verse is one of the matters about which Moses informed his people.

It is likewise clear that the affair of a lying claimant to prophethood can never reach completion; completion is granted only to the truthful claimant.

Some among the People of the Book say, “Muhammad and his community were given power over us because of our sins, although the religion we follow is correct—just as Nebuchadnezzar and other kings were once given power over us.” This analogy is invalid. Nebuchadnezzar never claimed prophethood, never fought on behalf of a religion, and never demanded that the Children of Israel abandon the Law of Moses for a law of his own. His ascendancy therefore did not constitute the fulfillment of any prophetic claim or religious summons. He was no more than a marauding warrior, akin to bandits who waylay caravans.

By contrast, when someone claims prophethood and a revealed religion, summons people to it, promises his followers happiness in this world and the next, warns his opponents of misery here and hereafter, and is then aided by Allah—Who grants him victory, perfects his religion, exalts his word, gives him the final outcome, and humbles his adversaries—that aid is an extraordinary event accompanying a prophetic claim and therefore serves as evidence for it. Extraordinary happenings that are not coupled with a claim to prophethood, however, are no proof of such a claim.

Many nations may drown at sea, yet their drowning is no sign of any prophet—unlike the drowning of Pharaoh and his people, which was a manifest sign for Moses. This agrees with what Moses, peace be upon him, stated: that the liar’s cause will never be brought to completion; for Allah is Wise, and it does not befit Him to aid a liar in