return to disbelief after Allah has saved him from it, just as he hates to be cast into the Fire.”

In His Book, He has explained the rights that belong exclusively to Him, the rights of His messengers, and the rights believers have over one another, as we have discussed at length elsewhere. An example is His saying, Most High:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and is mindful of Him—it is they who will triumph.”

Obedience is thus due to Allah and the Messenger, whereas reverent fear and mindful devotion are due to Allah alone. He Most High also said:

“If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and had said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His bounty, and so will His Messenger. To Allah alone we turn in hope.’”

Giving is thus attributed to Allah and the Messenger, whereas hope is directed to Allah alone. He Most High said:

“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”

For the lawful is what Allah and His Messenger have made lawful, and the unlawful is what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden. As for sufficiency, it belongs to Allah alone, as He said:

“And they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us.’”

He did not say, “Allah and His Messenger are sufficient for us.” He Most High also said:

“O Prophet, Allah is sufficient for you and for those believers who follow you.”

That is, Allah suffices you and suffices those believers who follow you. This is the unquestionably correct interpretation of this verse. Hence the words of Abraham and Muhammad—may blessings and peace be upon them both—were: “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.”

Allah, glorified and exalted, knows best and is Most Wise. May Allah bless the best of His creation, our master Muhammad, and his family and Companions, and grant them peace.