he may happen to be right about some matters in broad outline. This is one of Satan’s snares, so one should not be deceived by it or take it as evidence that what he says is true. None knows unseen matters as they truly are, in all their detail, except the Knower of all unseen things, or those prophets to whom He discloses them as proof of their prophethood. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says in His Book, relating the words of Jesus son of Mary, peace be upon them both:

“And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you, if you are believers.” [Āl ‘Imrān: 49]

Claiming to know and report such things in the same manner as the prophets amounts to denying the proofs of their prophethood. Even less than this would suffice for anyone whose heart Allah has opened and whom He has guided, and whom He has not willed to lead astray or cause to err.

As for the general predictions they make that prove correct—such as the report that Heraclius said he had examined the stars and seen that the king of the circumcised had appeared—one should believe that these rest solely on experience, which can prove accurate in most cases. This is comparable to the Prophet’s saying, peace be upon him: “When a cloud arises from the direction of the sea and then moves towards Syria, it brings abundant rain.” Allah alone grants success.

Section
Buying and Selling Singing Slave Women

Abū Umāma al-Bāhilī reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “It is not lawful to buy or sell singing slave women, or to trade in them, and the proceeds of their sale are unlawful.” He then recited the entire verse:

“And among the people is he who purchases idle talk to lead others astray from the way of Allah.” [Luqmān: 6]

This is the view of most Quran commentators: that what Allah, Mighty and Majestic, means by “And among the people is he who purchases idle talk” is singing and listening to it. It is reported that Ibn Mas‘ūd was asked about this verse: “And among