of inclusion, for Islam encompasses the affirmation of Allah’s oneness.

If it is asked: According to this reading, should He not have said, “Indeed, the religion with Allah is Islam”? For the meaning is: “Allah testifies that the religion with Him is Islam.” Why, then, is the explicit noun used instead of a pronoun?

The answer is: This lends greater weight to the majority reading, showing it to be more eloquent and preferable. Nevertheless, an explicit noun may take the place of a pronoun. This occurs frequently in the Quran and in Arabic speech.

Allah Most High says:

2:196 “Fear Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.”

He also says:

2:235 “Fear Allah, and know that Allah is All-Forgiving, Forbearing.”

And He Most High says:

7:170 “As for those who hold fast to the Book and establish prayer, We certainly do not let the reward of those who set things right go to waste.”

Ibn ‘Abbās said: The polytheists boasted of their forefathers, each group saying, “There is no religion but the religion of our forefathers and the way they followed.” Allah Most High declared their claim false, saying, “Indeed, the religion with Allah is Islam”—meaning the religion brought by Muhammad. It is the religion of all the prophets, from the first to the last; Allah has no religion other than it.

3:85 “Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”

His words, “Indeed, the religion with Allah is Islam,” indicate that it is the religion of His prophets, His messengers, and their followers, from the first to the last, and that Allah has never had, nor will He ever have, any religion other than it. Noah, the first of the messengers, said:

“But if you turn away, I have asked you for no reward. My reward rests with Allah alone, and I have been commanded to be among the Muslims.”

Abraham and Ishmael said:

“Our Lord, make us both Muslims submitting to You, and from our descendants a Muslim community submitting to You.”

2:132 “Abraham enjoined this upon his sons, as did Jacob: ‘My sons, Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except as Muslims.’”

When death approached Jacob, he said to his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They replied, “We will worship your God”—up to the words—“and to Him we submit as Muslims.”

Moses said to his people:

“If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him, if you are Muslims.”

And Allah Most High says:

“When Jesus sensed disbelief on their part, he said,