the performance of commanded acts, despite their multitude, and the avoidance of doubtful matters, despite their multitude, for Allah alone, without any partner. This is the comprehensive, universal religion shared by all the prophets: Islam in its universal sense and faith in its universal sense. This is what the Meccan surahs were revealed with, and it is indicated by the words of Allah Most High:

“He has ordained for you the religion He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: uphold the religion and do not become divided in it.”

And by His words:

“Ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: did We appoint any gods besides the Most Merciful to be worshipped?”

And by the words of Allah Most High:

“We certainly sent a messenger to every nation, saying: worship Allah and shun false gods.”

For this reason, al-Bukhārī devoted a chapter to this, entitled “Reports Establishing That the Religion of the Prophets Is One.”

Allah Most High also said:

“Indeed, those who believed, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians—whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous deeds—will have their reward with their Lord. No fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.”

Thus, He brought together those within the four religious communities who:

“believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous deeds.”

This was before abrogation and alteration. At the beginning of the verse, He singled out the believers. This refers to faith in its specific, divinely prescribed sense, concerning which He said:

“For each of you We have prescribed a law and a way.”

The “law” is the Sharia, and the “way” is the path. The comprehensive religion is the religious reality, while affirming Allah’s oneness in His lordship is the cosmic reality. Thus, the religious reality that is sought and the cosmic reality that exists are matters of agreement among the prophets and messengers.