16
He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said:
"Every prophet before me was sent exclusively to his own people, whereas I have been sent to all humankind."
The Exalted likewise says:
“Say, O people, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, to Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth.” ⦗Al-Aʿrāf 158⦘
And He, Most High, says:
“We have sent you only as a herald of glad tidings and a warner to all people.” ⦗Sabaʾ 28⦘
Throughout the Quran there are innumerable verses—far too many to list without extensive effort—inviting the People of the Scripture, Jews and Christians, as well as the idol-worshippers, pagans, and indeed every human being and jinn, to embrace faith.
وَقَالَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«كَانَ النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ خَاصَّةً وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ عَامَّةً»
.
وَقَالَ تَعَالَى:
{قُلْ يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ}
[الأعراف: ١٥٨]
.
وَقَالَ تَعَالَى:
{وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا}
[سبأ: ٢٨]
.
وَفِي الْقُرْآنِ مِنْ دَعْوَةِ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ وَالنَّصَارَى، وَمِنْ دَعْوَةِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَعُبَّادِ الْأَوْثَانِ، وَجَمِيعِ الْإِنْسِ وَالْجِنِّ مَا لَا يُحْصَى إِلَّا بِكُلْفَةٍ،