contentment with what Allah and His Messenger have given, because the Messenger is the intermediary between us and Allah in conveying His commands and prohibitions, what He makes lawful and unlawful, and His promises and warnings. Thus, what is lawful is what Allah and His Messenger have made lawful; what is unlawful is what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden; and religion is what Allah and His Messenger have prescribed.

For this reason, Allah Most High says:

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

No one may take any wealth except what Allah and His Messenger have made lawful. As for funds in which a person has a shared entitlement, such as fay’ revenues, war booty, and alms, he must be content with what Allah and His Messenger have given him from them—that is, his rightful share—and not seek anything beyond it.

Then Allah Most High says:

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

He did not say, “and His Messenger,” for sufficiency means being enough, and Allah alone suffices His believing servants. As Allah Most High says:

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

That is, He alone is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you. This is the correct interpretation, held by the majority of the early and later generations, as explained elsewhere.

The meaning is that Allah suffices the Messenger and those who follow him. Everyone who follows the Messenger, therefore, has Allah to suffice him, guide him, help him, and provide for him. Then Allah Most High says:

“Allah will give us of His bounty, and so will His Messenger.”

He thus ascribed giving to Allah and His Messenger, but placed the mention of bounty between them, for bounty belongs to Allah alone, saying:

“Allah will give us of His bounty, and so will His Messenger.”

Then Allah Most High says:

“To Allah alone we turn in longing.”

He thus directed longing to Allah alone, not to the Messenger or any other created being. It is therefore clear that Allah has placed all created beings on an equal footing with respect to these rulings. He has not accorded to any of