Chapter

As for those who deny prophethood and their claim:

“Human beings are not worthy of Allah sending a messenger to them, just as those at the margins of society are not worthy of a sovereign sending an envoy to them,”

this displays manifest ignorance concerning both the created being and the Creator. Indeed, one of the greatest qualities for which sovereigns are praised is that they personally address the weakest of their subjects—so how much more readily may they send an envoy to them?

As for the Creator, glory be to Him, He is more merciful to His servants than a mother is to her child, and alongside His perfect mercy He possesses all power. Since He is perfect in power and perfect in mercy, what could prevent Him from sending them a messenger as a mercy from Him?

Allah Most High says:

“We have sent you only as a mercy to the worlds.”

[Al-Anbiyāʾ: 107]

The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“I am but a mercy bestowed.”

Moreover, this forms part of His kindness to creation through instruction and guidance and through clarifying what benefits them and what harms them. Allah Most High says:

“Allah has certainly conferred a great favor upon the believers by raising among them a Messenger from themselves, who recites His verses to them, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom.”

[Āl ʿImrān: 164]

Thus, Allah Most High explained that this is among His favors to His believing servants.

If the denier rejects His power to do so, he thereby impugns the perfection of His power; and if he denies that this constitutes kindness from Him, he thereby impugns the perfection of His mercy and kindness.

It is therefore evident that sending a messenger is among the greatest proofs of the perfection of His power and kindness. Power and kindness are attributes of perfection, not imperfection. As for the punishment of those who reject the messengers, that falls within the divine decree because of the wisdom it entails.