the greatest affirmer of truth did when he brought all his wealth, while taking nothing from anyone;

and another says that “one who wrongs himself” is someone who abstains from food but not from sins, the “moderate” person abstains from both food and sins, and the one “foremost” abstains from everything that does not bring him nearer to Allah Most High—or offers similar explanations—then these statements are not mutually exclusive. Rather, each commentator has mentioned a category encompassed by the verse.

(The third category: one commentator mentions an “occasion” for the revelation of a verse, while another mentions a different “occasion” that does not contradict the first. The verse may have been revealed on account of both occasions together, or it may have been revealed twice: once for this occasion and once for the other.

As for matters in which authentic reports establish that the early generations held mutually contradictory views, these are few compared with the matters on which they did not differ. Similarly, their disagreements over certain matters of the Sunnah—such as some questions concerning prayer, zakat, fasting, Hajj, inheritance shares, divorce, and the like—do not preclude these practices from having their foundation in the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, or their broad outlines from having been conveyed from him through mass transmission.

It has become clear that Allah Most High sent down to him the Book and wisdom, and commanded the wives of His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to remember what is recited in their homes “of Allah’s revelations and wisdom.”