given to contention. * He was only a servant whom We blessed and made an example for the Children of Israel.” [al-Zukhruf: 58–59]

Allah Most High also revealed:

“Indeed, those for whom We have already decreed the finest reward will be kept far from it. * They will not hear its faintest sound, and they will abide forever in whatever their souls desire.” [al-Anbiyā’: 101–102]

Some people have supposed that His words, “what you worship” [al-Anbiyā’: 98], constitute an expression encompassing everything worshipped besides Allah by every nation, thus including the Messiah and others. They have used this as evidence for the general scope of qualified nouns such as man (“whoever”), mā (“whatever”), and alladhī (“the one who”).

Some have also used this to argue that clarification may be delayed beyond the time of the initial address. They say: “The wording is general, and clarification of the restriction on its scope was delayed until His words were revealed: ‘Indeed, those for whom We have already decreed the finest reward’ [al-Anbiyā’: 101].”

This is mistaken. If their view were correct, the polytheists’ objection would have been valid. For someone who hears a general expression without hearing what restricts its scope would have a valid objection to raise against the speaker. Those who say this think ill of the words of Allah and His Messenger and well of the polytheists.

Yet these people and others like them reject the plain, rationally intelligible meaning of the Quran on the strength of their own opinions, just as the polytheists rejected it by invoking the Messiah. For the polytheists’ assertion that the Messiah will not enter the Fire, and that the angels will not enter the Fire, is true—sounder than the arguments advanced by those who challenge the words of Allah and His Messenger.