the heavens and the earth, has taken no offspring, and has no partner in sovereignty. He created everything and determined it with precision.
He sent the messengers as bearers of glad tidings and warners, so that people would have no argument against Allah after the messengers. Allah is ever Almighty, All-Wise. They brought glad tidings to those who obeyed them of the fullest realization of their desires—everything that souls love and regard as bliss—and warned those who disobeyed them of being cursed, cast away, and subjected to painful punishment. He commanded them to call creation to worship Him alone, without any partner, devoting their religion sincerely to Him, even though the polytheists dislike it.
As He, the Most High, said:
“O messengers, eat of the good things and do righteous deeds. Indeed, I know well what you do.”
“And indeed, this religion of yours is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.”
He appointed for each of them a law and a way, so that they would follow a straight course toward Him and seek no deviation from it. He concluded their succession with Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—the best of the first and the last, the chosen one of the Lord of all worlds: the witness, the bearer of glad tidings, the warner, the guide, and the illuminating lamp. Through him, He brought people out of darkness into light and guided them to the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy—
“Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. And woe to the disbelievers from a severe punishment.”
He sent him with the finest ways and laws, and through him brought to nothing the various forms of disbelief and religious innovation. He revealed to him the finest of books and tidings, making that Book a guardian over the heavenly scriptures that preceded it. He made his community the best community brought forth for mankind: they enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah. They complete the number of seventy communities and are the best and most honored of them in Allah’s sight. The Prophet is a witness over them, and they are witnesses over mankind in this world and the Hereafter, by virtue of the inward and outward blessings He has lavished upon them. He protected them from agreeing upon misguidance, since no prophet would remain after him to make clear what had been altered in the message. He perfected their religion for them, completed His favors upon them, approved Islam as their religion, and made it prevail over