Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah sanctify his soul—also said:

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Allah Most High says:

“And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah, does good, and follows the faith of Abraham, inclining to truth? And Allah took Abraham as a close friend.”

He thus denied that any religion is better than this religion and rebuked anyone who claimed otherwise. This is a rhetorical question expressing disapproval: it prohibits and condemns regarding any religion as better than this one.

Qatādah, al-Dahhāk, and others said:

The Muslims and the People of the Scripture engaged in mutual boasting. The People of the Scripture said, “Our prophet came before your prophet, and our scripture before your scripture. We are closer to Allah than you.”

The Muslims said, “We are closer to Allah Most High than you. Our Prophet is the Seal of the Prophets, and our scripture passes judgment on the scriptures that preceded it.”

So Allah Most High revealed the verse:

“It is not according to your wishes, nor the wishes of the People of the Scripture.”