As for those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, ordinary and distinguished alike, they are the people of the Book, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah has people of His own among mankind.” He was asked, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “The people of the Quran: they are Allah’s own people and His chosen ones.”

These believers know that Allah is the Lord, Sovereign, and Creator of everything, and that the Creator, glorified be He, is distinct from creation: He neither dwells within it nor is united with it, nor is His existence identical to its existence. Allah declared the Christians disbelievers for affirming divine indwelling and union in the Messiah alone; what, then, of those who extend this to every created being?

They also know that Allah has commanded obedience to Himself and His Messenger and forbidden disobedience to Himself and His Messenger; that He does not love corruption or approve of disbelief for His servants; and that created beings must worship Him by obeying His commands and seeking His help in doing so, as He said:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

Worshipping and obeying Him includes enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong—as far as one is able—and waging jihad in His cause against the unbelievers and hypocrites. Thus, they strive to establish His religion, seeking His help, thereby repelling and removing decreed evils and warding off those they fear may come. In the same way, a person relieves present hunger by eating and thereby wards off future hunger. Likewise, when cold weather arrives,