namely, that she would point out his guests to her people (1) while her heart inclined toward them. It was not a betrayal of sexual misconduct. Thus she belonged outwardly to the household that professed islām, yet she was not among the believers who were delivered.

Whoever assigns the Quran’s indications (2) and its expressions to their proper places will perceive from its secrets and wisdoms what stirs (3) the intellects, and will thereby recognize that it was sent down (4) by One who is All-Wise, Praiseworthy.

With this the reply to the well-known question becomes clear: since islām is broader than īmān, how could the more general be excepted (5) from the more specific when the rule of exception normally requires the opposite? It is now evident that “the Muslims” are those excluded (6) from the scope of the verb “We found,” whereas “the believers” are not excluded from them (7); rather, they are the ones brought out and saved (8).

As for His words: “We left therein a sign for those who fear the painful punishment” (37) (9),