Some who have fallen into error (1) have supposed that the verse means that Allah and the believers are sufficient for you, and that:

“those who follow you” (2)

is nominative, coordinated with “Allah.” This is an egregious error that entails disbelief (3), for Allah alone is sufficient for all creation.

As Allah Most High says:

“Those to whom the people said, ‘Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But this only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’”

[Surah Āl Imrān: 173]

• That is, Allah alone is sufficient for us all.

Al-Bukhārī reports from Ibn Abbās concerning this statement: “Abraham said it when he was cast into the fire, and Muhammad said it when people told them, ‘The people have gathered against you, so fear them.’ But this only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’” * (4) (5).

Each of the two prophets said, “Allah is sufficient for me.” Neither deemed anyone besides Allah to share with Him in being sufficient for him. This shows that Allah alone was sufficient for each of them, with no one else alongside Him.

Also of this meaning is His saying:

“Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?”

[Surah al-Zumar: 36]

And His saying:

“Had they but been content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us. Allah will give us from His bounty, and His Messenger as well’”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 59]—to the end of the verse.

He thus called them to be content with what Allah and His Messenger had given them and to say, “Allah is sufficient for us,” but not to say, “Allah and His Messenger are sufficient for us,” because giving (6) may occur with the Messenger’s permission, as He said:

“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”

[Surah al-Hashr: 7]