and nothing dies without leaving an inheritance. Allah Most High neither dies nor leaves an inheritance. This refutes the Jews’ question: “From whom did He inherit the world, and to whom will He bequeath it?” Likewise, it is reported that the Christians asked: “Describe your Lord to us. What is He made of?” The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, replied: “My Lord is not made from anything, and He is distinct from all things.” Likewise, the polytheists and the Jews asked: “Is He made of silver, gold, or iron?” This was because they were accustomed to the gods they worshipped besides Allah having materials from which they were made. The idols of idol-worshippers are made of gold, silver, iron, and other materials.

There are also those who worship human beings, whether those human beings did not command them to worship them or did command them to do so. These include those who worship the Messiah and ‘Uzayr, and Pharaoh’s people, to whom he said:

“I am your lord, the most high,”

and:

“I know of no god for you other than myself.”

He also said to Moses:

“If you take a god other than me, I will certainly have you imprisoned.”

Another example is the man whom Allah had given a share of sovereignty, who disputed with Abraham concerning his Lord. When Abraham said, “My Lord is the One who gives life and causes death,” he replied, “I give life and cause death.” Another is the Dajjāl, who claims divinity. From the creation of Adam until the Hour is established, there is no trial greater than the trial of the Dajjāl. There are also those who said:

“Never abandon your gods; never abandon Wadd, Suwā‘, Yaghūth, Ya‘ūq, or Nasr.”

Several of the early generations stated that these were the names of righteous men who had lived among them. When they died, the people remained by their graves, then made statues of them, and then, after that,