“He has ordained for you, as religion, that which He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: ‘Establish the religion and do not split up therein.’ That to which you are calling the polytheists is burdensome for them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and He guides to Himself whoever turns to Him.” [al-Shūrā 42:13] (13)

“They did not divide except after knowledge had come to them, out of mutual envy. Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord, for an appointed term, the matter would surely have been decided between them. Indeed, those who were made heirs of the Scripture after them are in disturbing doubt about it.” [al-Shūrā 42:14] (14)

“So to that [religion] summon them, and remain steadfast as you have been commanded, and do not follow their desires. Say, ‘I believe in whatever Scripture Allah has sent down, and I have been commanded to deal justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord.’” [al-Shūrā 42:15] (15)

He has thus informed us that He has legislated for us the very religion with which He charged Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: “Uphold the religion and do not break up in it,” just as He—exalted is He—says in another verse:

“So set your face toward the religion, as a pure monotheist, in accord with the natural disposition with which Allah has fashioned mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah. That is the upright religion, though most people do not know.” [al-Rūm 30:30] (30)

“Turn to Him, be mindful of Him, establish the prayer, and do not be of the polytheists” [al-Rūm 30:31] (31)

“of those who divided their religion and became sects, each faction rejoicing in what it had.” [al-Rūm 30:32] (32)

And He—exalted be He—said:

“O Messengers, eat of the wholesome things and act righteously; I am well aware of what you do.” [al-Mu’minūn 23:51] (51)

“Indeed, this community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.” [al-Mu’minūn 23:52] (52)

“But they split their affair among themselves into fragments; each faction rejoicing in what it possessed.” [al-Mu’minūn 23:53] (53)