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

Thus, the Most High created His creatures in diverse ways, according to His irresistible will, which nothing can thwart. Hence He said: “Allah has power over all things.”

Among the assertions of the Jews and Christians is a false claim made by each group in self-praise. Each says: “We are Allah’s sons and His beloved.”

In their usage, the word “son” means “beloved.” They did not intend literal sonship, for this is not part of their doctrine, except for the Christian doctrine concerning the Messiah.

Allah refuted them for making this claim without proof, saying: “Say, ‘Then why does He punish you for your sins?’”

Had you been His beloved, He would not have punished you, [because Allah loves only those who do what pleases Him] (1).

“Rather, you are merely human beings among those He created,” and His judgments of justice and grace apply to you. “He forgives whomever He wills and punishes whomever He wills,” according to whether they have pursued the means leading to forgiveness or the causes warranting punishment. “To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, and to Him is the final return.” That is: What, then, has singled you out for this distinction, when you are among those who belong to Him and among those who will return to Allah in the Hereafter, whereupon He will requite you for your deeds?