in this world through afflictions, He then explained the falsity of the religion of the unbelievers among the polytheists and the People of the Book, saying:

“And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female…”

—to the end of the verse.

He explained that righteous deeds are rewarded in the Hereafter only when accompanied by faith, although a person may be rewarded for them in this world without faith. The unbelievers were thus refuted on two grounds: they would be recompensed for their evil deeds, and their good deeds would not admit them to Paradise without faith. He then explained the superiority of the upright, monotheistic religion of Islam, saying:

“And who is better in religion?”

The discourse is thus supremely precise. Similar to this in certain respects is the Prophet’s prohibition against preferring some prophets over others in a manner that disparages or belittles those considered less excellent. He said, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Do not rank the prophets above one another.”

And he said:

“Do not prefer me over Moses.”

This makes his excellence clear, and through these two elements religion is complete. When Allah is the One worshipped, the adherent is sincerely devoted and submissive to Him, and his conduct consists of good deeds, reason recognizes that no religion can be better than this. This is unlike a religion originating with someone other than Allah, to whom its adherent submits himself; or the religion of someone who claims to worship Allah without submitting himself to Him, but instead behaves arrogantly like the Jews and associates partners with Him like the Christians; or someone who does not do good, but commits evil deeds rather than good ones. And this judgment