than the Jews and Christians, such as the Qarmatians, the Ittihādiyya, and others like them among the heretical philosophers.

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As for the statement that “the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, assigned to each group what suited them,” and so forth, it admits of two interpretations.

If it means that prescribed deeds vary from person to person according to their circumstances, then there is no doubt about this. What the poor are commanded to do is not the same as what the wealthy are commanded to do; nor are the commands for the sick the same as those for the healthy. What is commanded in times of adversity differs from what is commanded when blessings are bestowed. A menstruating woman is not commanded to do the same as a woman who is ritually pure, nor are rulers commanded to do the same as their subjects. Thus, Allah’s commands to His servants may vary according to their circumstances, even as they may share the same foundation of faith in Allah, affirmation of His oneness, and belief in His Books and messengers.

If, however, it means that the Sharia itself varies, and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, addressed Zayd with words contradicting what he said to ‘Amr, or disclosed to one person something contradicting what he disclosed to another—as the liars relate: “‘Ā’ishah asked him