and do not die except as Muslims. {102} And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided, and remember Allah’s favor upon you,” up to His words: “And do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them. For them there is a tremendous punishment.” {105} [Āl ʿImrān 102–105]

He also said:
“Those who were given the Scripture did not become divided until after the clear proof had come to them.” {4} [al-Bayyinah 4]

According to these people’s claim, however, they would have become divided and differed before knowledge or clear proof had come to them. For they claim that the Scripture contains an apparent meaning that those versed in demonstrative reasoning must interpret figuratively, and that what they know is the interpretation of which Allah Most High said:
“None knows its interpretation except Allah and those firmly grounded in knowledge.” [Āl ʿImrān 7]

Then he says: “Although those versed in demonstrative reasoning agree that this category requires figurative interpretation, they may differ over its interpretation, according to each person’s level of knowledge of demonstration.”

If the Messenger did not explain his intended meaning to them, then neither knowledge nor clear proof had come to them. They would therefore be excused for their division and disagreement, as these hypocrites claim.

Then he should be asked: Does demonstration establish, for example, that the apparent meaning is impossible, or does it determine the intended meaning? As for the former, they agree on it. But determining the intended meaning cannot be derived merely from the syllogistic reasoning that you call demonstration. Rather, it is known