yet prohibited. Moreover, the only animal he had was of that age. As for his instruction to the wife of Abū Hudhayfah ibn ‘Utbah to breastfeed Sālim, her husband’s freedman, five times so that he would become a relative she was permanently forbidden to marry, the early generations differed over this: was the ruling exclusive to him, or did it also apply to others? If it is said that it applies to anyone who needs it—as she did—this reconciles the evidence.

In short, the Lawgiver is wise. He does not distinguish between two like cases unless one has a particular feature warranting that distinction, nor does He treat as equal things that differ and are unequal. Indeed, He—glory be to Him—has rebuked those who attribute this to Him and condemned those who judge in this way. He, Most High, says:

“Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption on earth? Or should We treat the God-fearing like the wicked?”

He, Most High, also says:

“Or do those who commit evil deeds think that We will make them like those who believe and do righteous deeds, alike in their life and their death? How evil is their judgment!”

He, Most High, says:

“Shall We then treat those who submit to Us like the criminals?”

“What is the matter with you? How do you judge?”

He, Most High, says:

“Are your disbelievers better than those, or do you have immunity in the Scriptures?”

He, Most High, says:

“They destroy their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So take heed, O people of insight.”

Such a lesson can only be drawn if like cases are treated alike. But if it is said, “That is not how things actually are,” then no lesson can be drawn. People have differed over this principle, namely, whether He singles someone out with a command