Thus no one possessed of a sound mind can harbour the slightest doubt that this wording is an explicit, unequivocal text that leaves no room whatsoever for figurative interpretation: it affirms in all reality the attribute of Hearing for the Lord, exalted be He, and that He Himself heard.

Another example is His saying, “But those who believe and do righteous deeds—We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity—such are the people of Paradise; they shall abide therein forever” (Al-Aʿrāf 7:42). By inserting the parenthetical clause “We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity” between the subject and its predicate, He dispelled the listener’s notion that what is required is to perform every righteous act, whether possible or impossible—an idea entertained by those who deem it permissible to impose obligations beyond one’s power. The same pattern appears in His words, “Give full measure and weight with justice; We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity” (Al-Anʿām 6:153).

Likewise, He says, “So fight in the way of Allah; you are responsible only for yourself, and urge on the believers” (An-Nisāʾ 4:84). After commanding him to fight, He informed him that he is not charged with anything beyond himself; he is accountable only for his own soul. He then followed this with “and urge on the believers,” lest someone imagine that, since he is not legally liable for them, he may neglect and abandon them.

Yet another instance is His statement, “Those who believe, and whose offspring follow them in faith—we shall unite them with their offspring, and We shall not deprive them of any of their deeds; every person is pledged for what he has earned” (Aṭ-Ṭūr 52:21). Reflect on how many misconceptions this wording removes and how much potential confusion it dispels for the addressee. One such removal is His phrase, “and whose offspring follow them in faith,” so that no one will suppose that the following is due to lineage, upbringing, freedom, slavery, or anything of that sort.