with you” [al-Hadīd 4] that He is within created things, or that He is mixed and intermingled with them, or any similar unsound meaning. No wording indicates this in any way, let alone its being the apparent meaning of that wording. The word “with” occurs frequently in the Quran and in speech generally, and its usages do not ordinarily require that the first thing be within the second or intermingled with it. A word’s meaning and apparent sense are determined only from its usage.

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him are firm against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating”—to the end of the verse [al-Fath 29].

He says: “So those who believe in him, honour him, support him, and follow the light sent down with him—it is they who will succeed” (157) [al-A‘rāf 157].

He says concerning the hypocrites: “They will call out to them, ‘Were we not with you?’ They will reply, ‘Yes, but you led yourselves into temptation and waited’” [al-Hadīd 14].

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “If Allah brings you back to a group of them and they ask your permission to go out, say, ‘You will never go out with me, nor will you ever fight an enemy with me. You were content to stay behind the first time, so remain with those who stay behind’” (83) [al-Tawbah 83].

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “O you who believe, fear Allah and be with the truthful” (119) [al-Tawbah 119].

He says: “Establish prayer, give zakah, and bow with those who bow” (43) [al-Baqarah 43].

He says: “O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord, prostrate yourself, and bow with those who bow” (43) [Āl ‘Imrān 43].

He says: “They were content to be with those who stayed behind, and a seal was set upon