be followed in [everything] he says (1), and he may not be opposed in any matter. This is a quality exclusive to the prophets. Hence, we have been commanded to believe in what was revealed to them. Allah Most High said:

“Say, ‘We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us; and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.’”

[Surah al-Baqarah: 136]

Thus, He commanded us to say: “We believe in what was given to the prophets.”

Allah Most High also said:

“The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the believers. Each believes in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.’ And they say, ‘We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord, for to You is the final return.’”

[Surah al-Baqarah: 285]

Allah Most High also said:

“Rather, true righteousness is found in those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets.”

[Surah al-Baqarah: 177]

Belief in what the prophets brought is therefore among the things we have been commanded to profess and believe. The Muslims unanimously agree that one must believe in every prophet; whoever disbelieves in even one prophet is a disbeliever, and whoever reviles a prophet must be put to death by scholarly consensus.

This does not apply to anyone other than the prophets, whether they are called saints, imams, [or sages] (2), scholars, or anything else. Whoever, after the Messenger, declares someone infallible and maintains that everything he says must be believed has accorded him what amounts to prophethood, even if he does not give it that name.

Such a person may be asked: “What is the difference between this and the prophets of the Children of Israel, who were