Qutayba that they said: “It means a way out.” He then said: “The meaning is that He will grant you a way out of error in this world.” But this is not what they meant. Rather, they meant the way out mentioned in His words:

“And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out,”

and the criterion mentioned in His words:

“And what We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Criterion.”

It has been related that Ibn Zayd said: “Guidance in their hearts by which they distinguish truth from falsehood.” The two kinds of criterion—guidance and clarification, and victory and deliverance—are the two kinds of “prevailing” in His statement, Exalted is He:

“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion.”

He makes it prevail through clarification, argument and proof, and through might, power and the spear.

Likewise, “authority” occurs in His words:

“And grant me, from Yourself, a supporting authority.”

This kind consists of proof and knowledge, as in His words:

“Or have We sent down to them an authority that speaks in support of what they associate with Him?”

And His words:

“Those who dispute Allah’s signs without any authority having come to them have nothing in their hearts but pride.”

And His words:

“They are nothing but names you and your forefathers have named, for which Allah has sent down no authority.”

“Authority” has been explained as the authority of power and might, and also as proof and clarification. One aspect of the criterion is reflected in Allah’s description of him in His words:

“My mercy encompasses all things. I shall decree it for those who fear Me and give zakat, and those who believe in Our signs.”

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in the Torah they have