they practised—venerating their idols, worshipping fire, venerating the stars, denying divine lordship, and their other practices—until he had conveyed the message, discharged the trust, and clearly established the proof that all the practices he forbade them were false. Through Allah’s proofs and clear signs, he demonstrated the truth of everything he called them to believe and do. He, peace be upon him, did not delay clarifying anything he called them to beyond the time when they were obliged to act upon it, for delaying that clarification would have rendered those obligations no longer binding upon them.

Some scholars did permit delaying the clarification of rulings that Allah had stated in general terms until before compliance became obligatory. As for delaying that clarification beyond the time for compliance, all of them held this to be impermissible.

All rational people know that what the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, called those members of his community whom he addressed directly to—belief that they were brought into existence, knowledge of the One who brought them into existence, affirmation of His oneness, knowledge of His most beautiful names, and of His attributes pertaining to His own being and the attributes of