and some think that the action was specific to him. All of this stems from their not knowing that the prohibition is general and definitive.

But when they know that his prohibition is general, definitive, and not abrogated, they agree that his actions cannot be invoked against it.

Thus, anyone who countered his prohibition of continuous fasting by saying, “You yourself fast continuously,” was mistaken in raising that objection, by the agreement of the scholars. Nevertheless, he answered by explaining the difference, saying:

“I am not like any of you. I spend the night with my Lord, who gives me food and drink.”

“Indeed, when he departed from his usual practice on the day of the conquest and performed the prayers with a single ablution, ‘Umar asked him, ‘You have done something you did not do before.’ He replied, ‘I did it deliberately.’”

There are many such instances. These objections came from those who believed in him and loved him. As for the disbelievers’ objections, advanced through false argument using claims that those versed in reasoning and debate would not consider valid objections, they are numerous.

One example is their objection to Allah when His words were revealed:

“Indeed, you and what you worship besides Allah are the fuel of Hell. You will enter it.” [al-Anbiyā’: 98]

Ibn al-Ziba‘rā and others then stood up and said, “The Messiah has been worshipped. Are our gods better, or is he?”

Then Allah Most High revealed:

“When the son of Mary was presented as an example, your people immediately raised an outcry.” [al-Zukhruf: 57]

That is, they made an uproar.

“And they said, ‘Are our gods better, or is he?’ They presented this example to you only to argue. Rather, they are a people