for Allah’s sake, gives for Allah’s sake, and withholds for Allah’s sake has perfected his faith.” This servant’s religion has become wholly devoted to Allah, and he has fulfilled the worship for which he was created. Thus, the effects and causes of these attributes of his are united with the effects and causes of the Lord’s attributes. Servants attain this to varying degrees: if one is a prophet, he has a degree of accord with Allah that others do not; the messengers rank higher still, and the messengers of firm resolve higher yet. Our Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has the highest rank of nearness to Allah in every station. This accord is the permissible form of union, whether obligatory or recommended. It is concerning such things that the texts of the Book and the Sunnah speak.

Allah, Most High, said:

“Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands.”

And He said:

“Allah and His Messenger are more worthy that they should please Him.”

And He, Most High, said:

“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.”

And He, Most High, said:

“Indeed, those who offend Allah and His Messenger.”

And He, Most High, said:

“Dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger.”

And He, Most High, said:

“Say, ‘The spoils belong to Allah and the Messenger.’”

The Messiah’s saying—if this wording is authentically reported from him—also falls into this category:

“I and my Father are one. Whoever has seen me has seen my Father.”

The same applies to similar sayings, for this resembles His saying, Most High:

“Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you are actually pledging allegiance to Allah.”

And His saying:

“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.”

And other such expressions whose wording admits more than one interpretation.