and forbid humans and jinn from what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden them; for our Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sent with this mission to both humans and jinn. Allah said to him:

“Say, ‘This is my way: I and those who follow me call to Allah with clear insight. Glory be to Allah! And I am not one of those who associate partners with Him.’”

And He said:

“Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’”

When Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, called out, “Sāriya, to the mountain!” he said, “Allah has troops who convey my voice.” Allah’s troops include angels and righteous jinn. Thus, Allah’s troops conveyed Umar’s voice to Sāriya, meaning that they called out to him in a voice like Umar’s. Otherwise, Umar’s own voice could not itself travel such a great distance.

This is like a man calling to someone far away, saying, “So-and-so!” He is helped by an intermediary between them, who calls out, “So-and-so!” He might say to someone far away, “So-and-so, hold back the water! Come to us!” Although that person cannot hear his voice, the intermediary calls out similar instructions to him: “So-and-so, hold back the water! Release the water!” He does so in a voice like the first man’s if the recipient will respond only to that voice. Otherwise, it makes no difference which voice is used, provided he knows that his companion has called him.

Here is an account: Umar once sent out an army. Someone came and told the people of Medina that the army had been victorious. The news spread, so Umar said, “Where did you get