discernment, guidance, knowledge, and faith are attained. One thus affirms that it is true and truthful, and measures all other human speech against it. Whatever agrees with it is true, and whatever contradicts it is false. If one does not know whether a statement agrees with it or contradicts it—because the statement is ambiguous and its speaker’s intent is unknown, or because the intent is known but it is unclear whether the Messenger brought anything confirming or refuting it—one withholds judgment and speaks only with knowledge.

Knowledge is what is established by evidence, and beneficial knowledge is what the Messenger brought. Knowledge may also be acquired from sources other than the Messenger, but in “worldly” matters such as medicine, arithmetic, agriculture, and trade. As for “divine matters and religious knowledge,” knowledge of these is derived from the Messenger. Of all creation, the Messenger knows these matters best, is most eager to teach them to people, and is most capable of explaining and making them known. He therefore surpasses everyone else in knowledge, ability, and will; through these three, the intended purpose is fully achieved.

Anyone other than the Messenger either has deficient or unsound knowledge of these matters; or lacks the will to convey what he knows of them and therefore does not explain it, whether out of desire, fear, or some other motive; or gives an inadequate explanation that fails to express what his heart knows.

The Messenger explains these matters in two ways: