among themselves. Then Allah guided those who believed, by His permission, to the truth concerning which they differed. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.”

In Sahīh Muslim, Ā’ishah reports that when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, rose to pray at night, he would say:

“O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Isrāfīl, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen! You judge between Your servants concerning their disagreements. Guide me, by Your permission, to the truth concerning which I differ; indeed, You guide whom You will to a straight path.”

The Most High says:

“Those who were given the Scripture did not differ until knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves.”

Thus He, glorified and exalted is He, makes clear that He guided them and made the truth clear to them. Yet some of them wrong others despite knowing the truth, following their own desires and disobeying Allah’s command. Such a person knows the truth but deviates from it, as the Most High says:

“Relate to them the story of the one to whom We gave Our signs, but who cast them off. Satan then pursued him, and he became one of those who went astray.”

“Had We willed, We would have elevated him through them, but he clung to the earth and followed his own desires. His likeness is that of a dog: if you drive it away, it pants, and if you leave it alone, it pants. Such is the likeness of those who reject Our signs. So recount these stories, that they may reflect.”

He, glorified and exalted is He, has thus made clear that He sent the messengers and sent down with them the Scripture to judge between people concerning their disagreements. The Most High says:

“Whatever you disagree about, its judgment rests with Allah. Such is Allah, my Lord; in Him I put my trust, and to Him I turn.”

Joseph said:

“O my two fellow prisoners! Are many different lords better, or Allah, the One, the All-Subduing?”

“You worship besides Him nothing but names that you and your forefathers have named, for which Allah has sent down no