the clear proof.” They had become divided and disagreed over what the prophets brought before Muhammad, and those among them who disbelieved had done so before Muhammad was sent.

Among them were also those who did not disbelieve, but believed in the prophets, as Allah Most High said:

“Among the people of Moses is a community who guide by the truth and establish justice thereby.”

“We dispersed them throughout the earth into communities; among them are the righteous, and among them are those less so.”

Allah Most High also said:

“They are not all alike. Among the People of the Scripture is an upright community who recite Allah’s verses during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves.”

“They believe in Allah and the Last Day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and hasten to do good deeds. They are among the righteous.”

Allah Most High also said:

“Had they upheld the Torah, the Gospel, and what was revealed to them from their Lord, they would have received provision from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them is a community who follow a moderate course, but evil indeed is what many of them do.”

In Sahīh Muslim and elsewhere, ʿIyād ibn Himār reports that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah looked upon the people of the earth and detested them, Arabs and non-Arabs alike, except for a remnant among the People of the Scripture. My Lord said to me, ‘Rise among Quraysh and warn them.’ I said, ‘My Lord, they would then smash my head until they left it like a loaf of bread.’ He said, ‘I shall test you and test others through you, and send down to you a Book that water cannot wash away, which you will recite asleep and awake. Send forth an army, and We shall send twice their number; and with those who obey you, fight those who disobey you.’”

The hadith is longer than this.