Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah sanctify his soul—was asked about two men who debated, one of whom said:

“We must have an intermediary between us and Allah, for we cannot reach Him otherwise.”

He replied:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

If he means that there must be an intermediary who conveys Allah’s commands to us, then this is true. For people cannot know what Allah loves and is pleased with, what He has commanded and forbidden, the honour He has prepared for His allies, or the punishment He has promised His enemies, except through the messengers whom Allah has sent to His servants. Nor can they otherwise know the most beautiful names and sublime attributes that rightfully belong to Allah Most High—attributes beyond the knowledge of human reason—or other such matters.

Those who believe in the messengers and follow them are the rightly guided, whom Allah draws near to Himself, raises in rank, and honours in this world and the Hereafter. As for those who oppose the messengers, they are accursed, astray and veiled from their Lord.

He, the Exalted, says:

“O children of Adam, if messengers from among you come to you, relating My verses to you, then whoever fears Allah and reforms—no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.”

“But those who deny Our verses and are too arrogant to accept them—those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein forever.”

And He, the Exalted, says:

“If guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor suffer.”

“But whoever