(75–76) “Allah chooses messengers from among the angels and from among mankind. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and to Allah all matters are returned.”

After explaining His perfection, the weakness of the idols, and that He alone is truly worthy of worship, the Exalted explains the status of the messengers and the virtues by which they are distinguished from the rest of creation. He says: “Allah chooses messengers from among the angels and from among mankind”; that is, He chooses and selects messengers from among the angels and messengers from among mankind who are the purest of their kind, the most fully endowed with noble qualities, and the most deserving of being chosen. The messengers can only be the absolute elect of creation.

The One who chose and selected them (1) is neither ignorant of the true nature of things nor one who knows some things but not others. Rather, the One who chose them is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, whose knowledge, hearing, and sight encompass all things. His choice of them therefore rests upon His knowledge that they are worthy of it and fit to receive revelation, as the Exalted says: “Allah knows best where to place His message.”

“And to Allah all matters are returned”; that is, He sends the messengers to call people to Allah. Some respond, while others reject their call; some act, while others hold back. This is the task of the messengers. As for recompense for those deeds, it rests with Allah, and none will fail to receive from Him either grace or justice.