It was also said that it was revealed concerning Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr before he embraced Islam. His parents used to call him to Islam, but he refused, saying, “Bring Abdullah ibn Jud'an, Amir ibn Ka'b, and the elders of Quraysh back to life for me, so that I may ask them about what you are saying.” (1)

Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, denied that this concerned Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr. (2)

The correct view is that it was revealed concerning an unbeliever who was undutiful to his parents. This was stated by al-Hasan and Qatadah.

Al-Zajjaj said: The claim of those who say that it was revealed concerning Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr before he embraced Islam is disproved by His saying:

“Those are the ones against whom the decree has come due, among communities of jinn and mankind that passed away before them. Indeed, they were losers. And for each are ranks according to what they did, so that He may repay them in full for their deeds; and they will not be wronged.”

Regarding His saying, “Those are the ones against whom the decree has come due,” Allah Most High informs us that the word of punishment has become binding upon them. Yet Abd al-Rahman was a believer and among the most virtuous of the Muslims; therefore, he cannot have been among those against whom the word of punishment became binding.

The meaning of “Those are the ones against whom the decree has come due” is that punishment has become incumbent upon them, “among communities”—that is, together with communities—(3) “of jinn and mankind that passed away before them. Indeed, they were losers.”

Regarding His saying, “And for each are ranks according to what they did,” Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: He means the one who was foremost in embracing Islam, for he is more virtuous than one who lagged behind him ⦗124/a⦘, even by an hour. Muqatil said: Each has merits in accordance with his deeds, and Allah will repay them in full for their deeds.

It was also said that “for each” means for every one of the two groups—the believers and the disbelievers—there are ranks, stations, and levels with Allah on the Day of Resurrection according to their deeds, and He will requite them accordingly.

Ibn Zayd said concerning this verse: The levels of the people of the Fire descend downward, while the levels of the people of Paradise ascend upward. (4)

Regarding His saying, “so that He may repay them in full”: Ibn Kathir, the Basran reciters, and Asim recited it in the third-person form, while the rest recited it in the first-person plural. “For their deeds; and they will not be wronged.”