(8) “So believe in Allah, His Messenger, and the Light We have sent down. Allah is All-Aware of what you do.”

Having mentioned those who deny the resurrection—and that such denial [on their part] necessarily entails disbelief in Allah and His signs—Allah Most High commanded what safeguards people from destruction ⦗867⦘ and misery: belief in Allah, His Messenger, and His Book (1). Allah calls it light, for light (2) is the opposite of darkness. The rulings, laws, and accounts contained in the Book that Allah sent down are lights by which people are guided through the impenetrable darkness of ignorance and by which they walk through the pitch-black darkness of night.

As for every field of knowledge apart from guidance through Allah’s Book, its harm outweighs its benefit and its evil outweighs its good. Indeed, it contains neither good nor benefit except insofar as it accords with what the messengers brought. Belief in Allah, His Messenger, and His Book requires complete conviction and sincere certainty in them, as well as acting in accordance with that belief by obeying the commands and avoiding the prohibitions (3). “Allah is All-Aware of what you do,” and He will requite you for your good and evil deeds.