of it.” This was said by Ibn Mas‘ūd and is also reported from Abū Bakr and ‘Umar.

There are thus three categories. A statement either agrees with what the Messenger said or it does not. If it does not, it either agrees with the revealed law of another prophet or it does not. This third category belongs to altered religion, like the religions of the polytheists and the Magians. Whatever belonged to another prophet’s revealed law but does not agree with his law has been abrogated—for example, the Sabbath and the prohibition of every animal with claws, the fat covering the stomach and intestines, and the fat of the kidneys. Observing the Sabbath as a festival and prohibiting these wholesome foods were prescribed in the law of Moses, but were later abrogated. Indeed, the Messiah said:

“And to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you.”

Thus, through the Messiah, Allah abrogated some of the prohibitions in the law of Moses. As for Muhammad, Allah said of him:

“Whom they find described in the Torah and the Gospel they possess. He commands them to do what is right and forbids them from doing what is wrong, makes wholesome things lawful for them and foul things unlawful, and relieves them of their burdens and the shackles that bound them. Those who believe in him, honour him, support him, and follow the light sent down with him—it is they who will prosper.”

All association of partners with Allah belongs to altered religion; Allah has never prescribed it. As He said:

“Ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before you: Did We appoint any gods besides the Most Merciful to be worshipped?”

And Allah Most High said:

“We never sent a messenger before you without revealing to him: There is no god but Me, so worship Me.”

Likewise, the things that the people of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance used to prohibit, which Allah mentions in the Quran,