community into seventy-two sects, all of which will be in the Fire except one: the united body of Muslims.” In another narration:

“Those who follow the same way that I and my Companions follow today.”

This saved sect is “the people of the Sunnah.” They occupy a middle position among the sects, just as the religion of Islam occupies a middle position among religions. Muslims therefore take a middle course regarding Allah’s prophets, messengers, and righteous servants. They have not gone to extremes concerning them as the Christians did, taking their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, along with the Messiah, son of Mary, although they were commanded to worship only one God. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him; glorified is He above whatever they associate with Him. Nor have they treated them harshly as the Jews did, killing the prophets without right and killing those who called people to justice. Whenever a messenger came to them with something contrary to their desires, they denied some and killed others.

Rather, the believers have believed in Allah’s messengers, honored them, supported them, revered them, loved them, and obeyed them, without worshipping them or taking them as lords. As the Most High says:

“It is not for any human being to whom Allah has given the Scripture, sound judgment, and prophethood to then say to people, ‘Worship me instead of Allah.’ Rather, ‘Be devoted to the Lord through your teaching of the Scripture and your study of it.’”

“Nor would he command you to take the angels and prophets as lords. Would he command you to disbelieve after you have become Muslims?”

Another example is that the believers have taken a middle course concerning “the Messiah”: they have not said that he is Allah or the son of Allah