the prophets, as did those who equated them with Allah, ascribed to them a measure of divinity, worshipped them, and took them as intercessors. Nor did they mistreat them as did those who harmed them, disregarded their sanctity, and turned away from obeying them. Rather, they honoured the prophets—that is, revered and supported them—believed in what they brought, obeyed and followed them, took them as their guides, loved and esteemed them. They worshipped none but Allah, relied upon none but Him, and sought help from none but Him, devoting their religion sincerely to Him and turning away from all false worship.

The same was true of religious laws. They said: “Whatever Allah commands us to do, we obey, and whatever He forbids us, we refrain from. If He forbids us something He previously permitted—as He forbade the Children of Israel things He had permitted Jacob—or permits us something previously forbidden—as the Messiah permitted some of what Allah had forbidden the Children of Israel—we hear and obey.”

As for those other than Allah’s messengers and prophets, they have no right to alter Allah’s religion or introduce into it anything Allah has not authorized. The messengers spoke only to convey what came from Allah. For creation and command belong to Him, glorified is He: just as none but Him creates, none but Him commands.

“Judgment belongs to Allah alone. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know.”

This community also followed a middle course regarding ritual purity and impurity, the lawful and unlawful, and moral conduct. They did not practise severity alone, as the former did, nor did they practise compassion alone