the earliest forerunners over those who followed them in righteousness. Those forerunners believed after unbelief, whereas [most of] those who followed them(1) were born into Islam. Allah has stated in the Quran that Lot believed Abraham, and Allah sent him as a prophet.

Shuayb said:

“We would indeed be fabricating a lie against Allah if we returned to your creed after Allah had delivered us from it. It is not for us to return to it unless Allah, our Lord, wills.”

[Surah al-Arāf: 89]

And the Exalted said:

“Those who disbelieved said to their messengers, ‘We will surely drive you from our land unless you return to our creed.’”

[Surah Abraham: 13]

Allah has related what He has related concerning Joseph’s brothers. He then made them prophets after their repentance. They are the Tribes whom we have been commanded to believe in what they were given, in Surahs al-Baqara, Āl Imrān, and al-Nisā. If any of these people became a prophet, then it is well known that prophets are superior to others. This is among the matters disputed by the Rāfidis and others. They say, “Someone who has committed a sin cannot become a prophet.” The disagreement is even greater concerning one who embraced Islam. What counts, however, is what the Book and the Sunnah indicate.

Those who deny this rely principally on the claim that one who repents of a sin remains deficient and blameworthy and is unworthy of prophethood, even if he becomes one of the greatest people in obedience. This is precisely the premise on which they have been opposed. The Book, the Sunnah, and [consensus] demonstrate(2) the falsity of their position on this matter.

[Section: The Twelfth Proof—“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection”—and the Response to It]

Section

The Rāfidi said(3): “The twelfth proof is the saying of the Exalted:

‘Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection.’