and that His words, “and those who believe…” (al-Māʾidah 5:55), mean ʿAlī alone; while others maintain that His statement, “And the one who brought the truth and believed in it” (az-Zumar 39:33), refers to Abu Bakr alone.

Explanation
Some commentators have indeed said that “the one who brought the truth and believed in it” was revealed about Abu Bakr. We have already clarified, however, that when they say, “It was revealed about so-and-so,” they merely mean that he is included in its meaning; their remark is interpretive, not restrictive. Accordingly, whoever holds that it was revealed about Abu Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—means that Abu Bakr comes under the description “the one who brought the truth and believed in it.” Undeniably, the first person encompassed by it is the Messenger himself—peace and blessings be upon him—for he brought the truth and affirmed it. He bore witness to his own prophethood, that he was truly a Messenger sent to all people, and he was commanded to proclaim, “Say, O mankind, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all.” Thus he both brought the truth and believed in it.

They likewise say that His words, “Those of you who spent and fought before the conquest are not equal …” (al-Ḥadīd 57:10), were meant for Abu Bakr alone, and the like.

Explanation
To the one who claims that it refers exclusively to Abu Bakr we reply: if he intends exclusivity, he is mistaken; if he cites him merely as an example, he is correct. We may indeed say, “It was revealed concerning Abu Bakr,” meaning that he and others like him fall under its scope, but to confine it to him alone is impermissible. This is a principle of tafsīr: a general word may not be singled out and limited to one individual without evidence. If evidence exists—such as His saying, “Those to whom the people said, ‘Indeed, the people …’”