encompasses sound, beneficial knowledge, and the religion of truth encompasses righteous action, so that He may make it prevail over every other way. That prevailing is achieved through knowledge and the spoken word, by which its truth and guidance are laid plain, and through the hand and the weapon, by which it is granted help and victory. Allah has indeed made it manifest in this manner; thus they are the people of al-ṣirāṭ al-mustaqīm (the Straight Path)—the path of those whom Allah has favored: the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous—how excellent are such companions! It is not the path of those who have incurred anger—those who know the truth yet do not act upon it, like the Jews—nor of those who are astray, who act, worship, and practice renunciation without knowledge, like the Christians.

The Jews slew the prophets and those among humankind who enjoined justice, while the Christians took their scholars and monks—and even the Messiah, son of Mary—as lords beside Allah.

The Muslims have adopted the balanced course: they believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers, making no distinction between any of His messengers. They believe in all the prophets and in every scripture Allah has revealed. They neither deny the prophets, nor revile them, nor exaggerate about them, nor worship them. Likewise, the people of knowledge and religion give the prophets their due without falling short or going to excess.

The Jews grow angry for themselves and seek vengeance, whereas the Christians do not grow angry for their Lord and seek no retribution. The balanced Muslims who follow their Prophet grow angry for their Lord’s sake while pardoning in matters concerning their personal interests, just as is related in the two Ṣaḥīḥs from ʿĀʾishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she