families—and his Companions, who championed the religion until the truth prevailed and the landmarks of misguidance were effaced.

To proceed:

Allah Most High created all things for such wise purposes as He willed, lavished upon them blessings beyond their reckoning, and honoured the children of Adam in manifold ways. He singled out His believing servants by choosing and guiding them, and made the nation of Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—the best community among His creation ever raised up for mankind.

He sent among them a Messenger from their own number, whose truthfulness, trustworthiness and noble conduct they knew, reciting His verses to them to bring them out of the darkness and bewilderment of disbelief, guide them to a straight path, and call them to worship Him. He sent down to them the finest Book He has ever revealed to His creation and made it an enduring sign until the coming of His Hour: a dazzling miracle setting forth His proof, and clear evidence elucidating His call. Through it Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the ways of peace, brings them out of darkness into light by His permission, and shows them the path to His Paradise.

Blessed, then, is whoever holds fast to the Book of Allah and follows the Messenger in his sunnah and revealed law. Whoever takes his beacon as a guide and follows in his footsteps is the best of people in this world and the Hereafter. Whoever revives any part of his sunnah will receive its reward and the reward of those who act upon it, without any reduction in the reward for their obedience. Allah does not wrong anyone even by an atom’s weight; rather, He multiplies good deeds by His grace and mercy.