by Christ, and this could only be a human messenger—indeed, one greater than Christ. For Christ himself stated that the coming figure would be capable of what Christ was not (1), would know what Christ did not know, and would foretell everything that is to come and all that is due to the Lord. He said, “I still have many things to tell you, but you are unable to bear them now. Yet when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but will say only what he hears, and he will inform you of whatever is to come and will make known to you all that belongs to the Father.” (2)

No rational person can doubt that these characteristics fit none other than Muhammad ﷺ. For speaking about God’s attributes, about His angels, His dominion, and what He has prepared in Paradise for His friends and in Hell for His enemies, is a matter too detailed for most people’s minds to contain.

ʿAlī (d. 40 AH) said, “Speak to the people in terms they understand and leave aside what they would reject. Do you want Allah and His Messenger to be denied?” (3)

Ibn Masʿūd said, “If a man relates to a people something their intellects cannot grasp, it becomes a trial for some of them.” (4)

A man once asked Ibn ʿAbbās about the Almighty’s words: “He who created seven heavens and, of the earth, the like of them…”