the earth—all of them, believers and disbelievers alike. The believers (1) received the greatest share of mercy. As for the disbelievers, the People of the Book among them lived under his shelter, protection, and covenant. As for anyone among them whom he and his community killed, he (2) was hastened by them to the Fire and spared a prolonged life that would only increase the severity of his punishment in the Hereafter.

As for the Opener, he is the one through whom Allah opened the door of guidance after it had been firmly shut. Through him, He opened blind eyes, deaf ears, and closed hearts; conquered the cities of the disbelievers; opened the gates of Paradise; and opened the paths to beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds = thus, through him, He opened this world and the Hereafter, hearts, hearing, sight, and cities.

As for the Trustworthy, he is more deserving of this name than anyone else. He is Allah’s trustee over His revelation and His religion, trusted by those in heaven and those on earth. This is why, before his prophethood, they used to call him “the Trustworthy.”

As for the Ever-Smiling and the Slayer, these are two paired names, neither of which stands apart from the other. He readily smiles at believers, neither scowling nor frowning, neither irascible nor harsh. Yet he slays Allah’s enemies, undeterred by anyone’s reproach concerning them.

As for the Bearer of Glad Tidings, he announces the glad tidings of reward to those who obey him; and as the Warner, he warns those who disobey him of punishment.

Allah has also called him “His servant” in several places in His Book, including His words:

“And when Allah’s servant stood up calling upon Him” [al-Jinn: 19],

and His words:

“Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His servant” [al-Furqān: 1],