so He chose Gabriel from among the angels and Muhammad from among mankind. He said concerning Gabriel:

“Indeed, it is the word of a noble messenger.”

And He said concerning Muhammad:

“Indeed, it is the word of a noble messenger.”

Both are messengers from Allah, as He said:

“Until clear evidence came to them: a messenger from Allah, reciting purified scriptures containing upright writings.”

Each is a messenger from Allah who conveyed what he was sent with and testifies that what he brought is Allah’s speech. As for their bearing witness to what the Quran bears witness to, this is something shared by everyone who believes in the Quran. Every believer bears witness to everything to which the Quran bears witness, by virtue of believing in it, whether or not he has conveyed it.

Thus, the Messenger’s belief in what he brought is distinct from his conveying it. He is commanded to do both and is rewarded for both, as Allah said:

“The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers.”

For this reason, he would say, “I bear witness that I am Allah’s servant and His Messenger.” Gabriel and Muhammad therefore bear witness to what the Quran bears witness to by virtue of their belief in it, not by virtue of their being sent with it. Being sent with it entails their testimony that Allah spoke it. Someone who is not a messenger may nonetheless be sent with a message; the messenger then testifies that these are the sender’s words, even if the sender is neither truthful nor wise. Yet it is known that Gabriel and Muhammad know that Allah is truthful and wise, so they bear witness to what Allah bears witness to. Likewise, the angels and the believers testify that whatever Allah says is true