of the servant and that this lies in Allah’s hands, not the servant’s, as well as acknowledgment of the resurrection and a plea to be in the company of the blessed.

[Surah Joseph (12): Verse 108]

“Say, ‘This is my way: I call to Allah with clear insight—I and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the polytheists.’” (108)

Al-Farrā’ and a number of scholars said: “‘And those who follow me’ is coordinated with the pronoun in ‘I call,’ meaning: I call to Allah, and those who follow me call to Him as I do.” This is also the view of al-Kalbī, who said: “Everyone who follows him is obliged to call to what he called to and to remind others through the Quran and exhortation.”

There are many considerations that strengthen this view.

Ibn al-Anbārī said: “The statement may also end at ‘to Allah,’ followed by a new statement: ‘With clear insight are I and those who follow me.’” On his interpretation, the passage consists of two sentences: in the first, he states that he calls to Allah; in the second, that he and his followers possess clear insight. The two views are inseparable: a person cannot truly be one of his followers unless he calls to what he called to and possesses clear insight.

Al-Farrā’s interpretation is better and more consistent with eloquence and rhetorical excellence.

Since calling to Allah is the noblest, loftiest, and most excellent station of the servant, it can be attained only through the knowledge with which one calls and to which one invites others. Indeed, perfecting this call requires attaining the utmost knowledge that effort can achieve. It is sufficient testimony to the honor of knowledge that, through it, its possessor attains this station. Allah bestows His bounty upon whom He wills.