Similarly, if he trades in foodstuffs, he must know how such goods are to be sold and must be able to recognize the various forms of fraud that may occur, and so on.

The point is that once a person reaches sixty years of age the proof against him is complete and he has no excuse left. Everyone is accountable according to his own circumstances: each individual must learn from the Sharia whatever he personally needs—regarding prayer, zakah, fasting, pilgrimage, commercial dealings, endowments, and the like—according to his situation.

This hadith also demonstrates that Allah possesses an irrefutable argument against His servants. He endowed them with minds and understanding, sent messengers to them, and made one of those messages everlasting until the Day of Resurrection—the mission of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Earlier revelations were restricted: every prophet was sent only to his own people and was limited in time, for when two messengers were sent to the same nation, the latter abrogated the law of the former.

By contrast, Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to this entire community, made him the Seal of the Prophets, and granted him a lasting sign: this magnificent Qur’an. The miracles of earlier prophets died with them and remain only as memories after their passing, whereas the sign of Muhammad—the Glorious Qur’an—will endure until the Day of Resurrection. Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“And they say, ‘Why have signs not been sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say, ‘The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.’ Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book that is recited to them?” (Al-‘Ankabut 29:50–51).

The Book is sufficient proof for anyone who reflects upon it, grasps its meanings, benefits from its reports, and takes admonition from its narratives; it renders every other sign unnecessary.