And Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah sanctify his soul—said:

Know that Allah Most High sent Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it prevail over all religion. He perfected the religion for his community and completed His favor upon them. He set him upon a prescribed path in religious affairs and commanded him to follow it, not the way of those who do not know. He made his Book a guardian over the scriptures that preceded it and a confirmation of them. He appointed for him a law and a way, and prescribed for his community the paths of guidance. Religion can only be upheld through the Book, the balance, and iron: a Book by which He guides, and iron that supports it. As Allah Most High says:

“We certainly sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance so that people may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, in which there is great might and benefits for people.”

Through the Book, knowledge and religion are upheld. Through the balance, rights are upheld in financial contracts and the receipt of property. Through iron, prescribed punishments are enforced against disbelievers and hypocrites. Thus, in later times, the Book fell to scholars and worshippers; the balance to ministers, scribes, and administrative officials; and iron to rulers and soldiers.

Prayer pertains to the Book, and jihad to iron. Hence, most Quranic verses and prophetic hadiths concern prayer and jihad. When visiting the sick, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would say:

“O Allah, heal Your servant so that he may attend prayer for Your sake and inflict harm upon an enemy for Your sake.”

And he, blessings and peace be upon him, said:

“The foundation of the matter is Islam, its pillar is prayer, and its pinnacle is jihad in the cause of Allah.”