“The Jews and the Christians say, ‘We are Allah’s children and His beloved.’ Say, ‘Then why does He punish you for your sins?’ Rather, you are human beings among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and to Him is the final return.” (18)

His words, exalted is He: “The Jews and the Christians say, ‘We are Allah’s children and His beloved.’” It was said that they meant: Allah, exalted is He, is to us like a father in His tenderness and affection, while we are to Him like children in nearness and rank.

Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i said: The Jews found in the Torah, “O children of My beloved ones,” but they altered it to, “O children of My firstborn.” This is why they said, “We are Allah’s children.” It was also said that its meaning is: We are the children of Allah’s messengers.