that, in the two Ṣaḥīḥ collections and other works, the ḥadith of intercession says: “On the Day of Resurrection people will go to Noah and say, ‘O Noah, you were the first messenger sent to the inhabitants of the earth.’”

As for the proof that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—is the last of the messengers, it is Allah’s statement: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets” (Quran 33:40). It is also authentically reported from him that he said, “I am the Seal of the Prophets.”

Therefore we are required to believe that all the messengers whom Allah sent are truthful in everything they conveyed from Allah and in the missions with which they were entrusted.

We must believe in the names of those whose names have been specified to us, and as for those whose names have not been specified, we believe in them in a general sense.

We must also believe that there is no community except that Allah sent a messenger to it in order that the proof be established against them, as Allah says: “We have certainly sent a messenger to every community, [proclaiming]: ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods’” (Quran 16:36), and He says: “There was never a nation but that a warner passed among them” (Quran 35:24).

Finally, we must attest to the truth of everything the messengers have reported, whenever its transmission is sound.