Secondly: The only thing that fixes high morals in the ground of reality is seriousness, and the only thing that perpetuates them in their totality is truthfulness (ṣidq). If truthfulness departs from their midst they become as straw winnowed by the wind.
Thirdly: Just as attraction and [mutual] inclination are present in things that are harmonious and congruent; so contradictory and opposing things give rise to repulsion and mutual disgust.
Fourthly is [the rule] “there is in the whole what is not present in the parts,” like a rope being strong though its strands are weak.
If you have grasped these points, understand now that as was acknowledged by his enemies, Muhammad’s (UWBP) works, and the course and story of his life, all testify that he had the finest character and that combined in him were all the highest moral qualities. Such a combination is marked by personal dignity, gravity, and self-respect, and these do not permit a person to stoop to trivial inanities. Just as the angels do not permit devils to mix with them, so in no way when they come together do these elevated morals permit trickery and falsehood to enter amongst them. Have you not observed that someone famous only for bravery does not stoop to lying, except if forced? So how could a person in whom all [those qualities are present]? Thus, it is established that [the Prophet’s] own person (UWBP) furnished evidence for himself as clear as the sun.
Moreover, if you study his conduct (Upon whom be peace) from the age of four till forty, you will see that although this is the period of youth when the natural passions are rampant and hidden traits and any latent slyness or trickery in a person’s character come to light, he lived these years in complete righteousness, constancy, and chastity, and in regular and orderly fashion. There was no hint of trickery in any of his conduct; not even the obdurate and clever [enemies] he was faced with [observed any wiles in him]. And then you see him when he is forty years old, when the character becomes fixed and habits ingrained, and he emerges as a marvel who brings about a mighty unprecedented revolution in the world. This could have occurred only through Allah’s [will].
The Fourth Matter
Know that the page of the past, which contains the stories of the prophets, recounted [by the Prophet] (Upon whom be peace) in the Qur’an, is a proof of his prophethood. This [page comprises] four points: