Allah the Exalted has said:

“When the son of Mary is presented as an example, your people burst out in protest, and they say, ‘Are our gods better, or is he?’ They cite him to you only for the sake of argument; in truth, they are a contentious people.” ⦗Quran 43:57–58⦘

He, glorified be He, then clarified the decisive distinction that prevents the two from being treated alike when He said:

“Indeed, those for whom the finest reward has already proceeded from Us will be kept far away from it.” ⦗Quran 21:101⦘

He also made it clear that these analogizers advanced their comparison purely as polemical debate that yields no knowledge, for the difference between the branch and the root is plain. If the idols are turned into fuel for Hell, that is nothing but a humiliation and disgrace for their worshippers, without punishing anyone who does not deserve punishment. This contrasts sharply with the notion of punishing the righteous servants of Allah for the sins of others—something Allah, exalted is He, never does. Such is the position of the overwhelming majority of Muslims and of the adherents of all other religions, past and present: they hold that Allah creates and commands only for a wise purpose; He wrongs no one by diminishing any part of his good deeds, nor does He burden him with another’s misdeeds. Indeed, He does not punish anyone until a messenger has first been sent to him, just as He, the Exalted, has said: