and the religion of truth, as He says:

“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion. And sufficient is Allah as Witness.”

The Most High also says:

“And remember Our servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—possessors of strength and insight.”

Thus He mentioned both kinds. Al-Wālibī reported from Ibn ‘Abbās that this means: “Those endowed with strength in worship.” Ibn Abī Hātim said: “Something similar has been reported from Sa‘īd ibn Jubayr, ‘Atā’ al-Khurāsānī, al-Hasan, al-Dahhāk, al-Suddī, Qatādah, Abū Sinān and Mubashshir ibn ‘Ubayd.” As for “insight,” he said: “It means understanding the religion.”

Mujāhid said: “‘Insight’ means sound judgment.” Sa‘īd ibn Jubayr said: “Insight into Allah’s religion and His Book.”

Regarding “possessors of strength and insight,” ‘Atā’ al-Khurāsānī said: “Those endowed with strength in worship, insight, and knowledge of Allah’s command.” A report is also transmitted from Mujāhid, and Qatādah is reported to have said: “They were granted strength in worship and insight into the religion.”

All the sages of the nations esteem these two kinds, including the sages of Greece, India and the Arabs. Ibn Qutaybah said: “Wisdom, among the Arabs, is knowledge and action.”

Righteous deeds consist in worshipping Allah alone, without any partner. This is the religion—the religion of Islam. Knowledge and guidance consist in affirming the Messenger’s reports concerning Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, the Last Day and other matters. Beneficial knowledge is therefore faith, and righteous deeds are Islam. Beneficial knowledge comes from Allah’s knowledge, while righteous deeds consist in acting according to Allah’s command. The former is to affirm what the Messenger has reported, and the latter is