the plains and the mountains.
Nor is it at all surprising that the people whom the Torah itself describes as “a nation devoid of sense, in whom there is no discernment” (1) should split into two groups: one simply ignorant of this truth, the other willfully obstinate and defiant.

To those stubborn deniers one may ask: Which prophethood ever arose out of Syria, shone forth with the brightness of the sun, and towered above the two earlier missions? Denying this is like the man who sees the sun rise in the east yet argues and insists that it rose in the west!

Third proof: The Torah—in its first book—relates: “The angel appeared to Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, and said: ‘O Hagar, whence have you come and whither are you going?’ When she explained her plight, he said: ‘Return, for I shall multiply your descendants and your offspring until they are beyond all counting. You are now pregnant and will bear a son; I shall name him (3) Ishmael, for God has heard your humility and submission. Your son will be a wild ass of a man; his hand will be over everyone, and every hand will be stretched out toward him in submission.’” (4)

This glad tiding clearly states that her son’s hand will be over the hands of all creation, that his word will be uppermost, and that the hands of the creatures will be beneath his. Who fits this description except Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him?