that they are friends of Allah, despite inwardly disbelieving in what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought, whether out of obstinacy or ignorance. Likewise, many Christians and Jews believe that they are friends of Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger, but say, “He was sent only to those other than the People of the Book, and we are not obliged to follow him, because He sent messengers to us before him.” All these people are disbelievers, despite regarding their own group as friends of Allah. The friends of Allah are only those whom Allah Most High described as such when He said:

“Indeed, the friends of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve.”

“Those who believe and fear Him.”

Faith necessarily entails believing in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and believing in every messenger Allah sent and every book Allah revealed. As Allah Most High said:

“Say, ‘We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and what Moses and Jesus were given, and what the prophets were given by their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.’”

“So if they believe in what you believe, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension. Allah will suffice you against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”

Allah Most High also said:

“The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. Each believes in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers: ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.’”

And so on to the end of the surah.

He said at the beginning of the surah:

“Alif, Lām, Mīm.”

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guide for those who fear Allah.”