that, and every praiseworthy person keeps himself above it. Everyone condemns lying, so it is an unconditionally blameworthy attribute. A person’s lack of knowledge of certain things, however, is inherent in being a created being. None but Allah encompasses all things in knowledge. Thus, people do not regard a lack of knowledge as a deficiency comparable to lying. For this reason, the Lord makes clear His knowledge of what He testifies to, and that He is more truthful in speech than anyone, better in judgment, and more truthful in His words. For He—glorified be He—is more entitled than anyone to the attributes of perfection:

“To Him belongs the highest description in the heavens and the earth.”

He speaks the truth and guides to the right way. He—glorified be He—speaks by His will and power.

As for “and those who possess knowledge of the Scripture,” they are the People of the Book. They testify to what the prophets before Muhammad brought. They testify that those prophets brought teachings like those he brought, such as the command to worship Allah alone, the prohibition of associating partners with Him, accounts of the Day of Resurrection, and overarching religious laws. They also testify to what their scriptures contain concerning his attributes, his message, and his Book.

These are the two ways by which the prophethood of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is established: signs and proofs demonstrating his truthfulness, or testimony to his prophethood from another prophet whose truthfulness is already known.

He mentioned these two kinds of evidence in His words:

“Say, ‘Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you