Section: The statement of those who claim that he never said he was sent to anyone but the Arabs

[If they concede his mission to the Arabs]

This discussion pertains to the first view—the view of those who maintain that he never stated that he had been sent except to the Arabs.

The second view, however, is to say that he actually affirmed that he is a messenger to all humanity, as the Quran declares in numerous places, such as the Almighty’s words:

“We have not sent you except universally to all people as a bearer of glad tidings…” (Sabaʾ 34:28),

and His words:

“O people! I am the messenger of Allah to you all, He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth.” (al-Aʿraf 7:158).

The Quran also states explicitly, in several passages, that he invited the People of the Book and the jinn. So if they admit that he made this claim yet still brand him a liar for it, they must either acknowledge his mission to the Arabs or deny it altogether.

If they acknowledge that he is a messenger whom Allah has sent, then, as has already been shown, they cannot at the same time deem him a liar. Rather, they must affirm his mission to all creation exactly as he reported. For, as previously explained, anyone who claims to be a messenger of Allah is either among the very best and most truthful of people or among the worst and most mendacious. If he is truthful, then he is among the finest of them; but if he were