are waiting for Allah to come to them in canopies of clouds. What supports this understanding is that they did the same with Moses, peace be upon him, saying:

“We will never believe you until we see Allah plainly.” [al-Baqarah 55]

If it is established that this verse describes the Jews’ condition and beliefs, there is no impediment to taking it at its apparent meaning. For the Jews followed a religion that likened Allah to His creation, considered it possible for Allah Most High to come and go, and said that He Most High had manifested Himself to Moses on the Mount in canopies of clouds. They therefore expected something similar in the time of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It is well known that their beliefs carry no authority as evidence.

In short, the verse indicates that certain people are waiting for Allah to come to them, but it does not indicate whether those people are right or wrong. On this understanding, the difficulty is removed. This is the answer to be relied upon in responding to their appeal to the verse mentioned in Sūrat al-An‘ām. If it is asked, “How does this interpretation relate