that His mercy outstrips His wrath; that He has made Himself known to His servants by His attributes, His actions, and His names; that He has endeared Himself to them through His blessings(1) and favors, and initiated them with His beneficence and bounty. He is the One who shows them kindness and who rewards kindness with yet more kindness. To Him belong favor, grace, beautiful praise, and gratitude: “They regard it as a favor to you that they have submitted. Say, ‘Do not regard your submission as a favor to me; rather, it is Allah who has favored you by guiding you to faith.’” (Al-Hujurat 49:17).

I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, His trustee over His revelation, His chosen one from among His creation, His envoy between Him and His servants, and His proof against all humankind and jinn. Allah sent him after a long hiatus in the line of messengers and, through him, guided people to the most upright paths and the clearest ways. He made obedience to him, love for him, reverence of him, and the fulfillment of his rights obligatory upon all servants. He closed every road to Paradise except his; none will enter by any way other than his way. Allah expanded his breast, exalted his renown, removed from him his burden, and sent him with the guiding Book and the victorious sword, ahead of the Hour, so that He alone—without partner—would be worshiped. He placed his provision beneath the shade of his sword and spear, and decreed humiliation and abasement upon all who meet his command with defiance and disobedience. He revealed to him the most exalted of Scriptures, the most complete of laws, and granted him the noblest of communities; they constitute seventy nations— the best and most honored of them before the All-Merciful. He singled him out with the purest character traits and the loftiest ranks of perfection, gathering in him of virtues what He had dispersed among humankind. Thus, he is the most perfect of people in form, the finest in character, the bravest at heart, the most generous of hand, the gentlest in temperament, the broadest in forbearance, the kindest in companionship, the most eloquent in speech, the firmest in resolve, and the noblest in household and lineage.