Thus the Muslims’ sins are the sins of people who affirm Allah’s oneness. If their monotheism is strong, it erases those sins completely; otherwise, the measure of monotheism they do possess will eventually draw them out of the Fire after they have been punished for those sins.

By contrast, the polytheists and unbelievers—because of their polytheism and disbelief—have all their good deeds rendered null. They will meet their Lord with no righteous act by which they can hope for deliverance, and none of their sins will be forgiven (1). The Exalted says: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating anything with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whomever He wills.” ⦗4:48⦘.

He also says about the unbelievers and polytheists: “We shall turn to whatever deeds they did and make them scattered dust.” ⦗25:23⦘.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah has refused to accept any deed from a polytheist.” (2)

The traces of sin vanish through sincere repentance, pure monotheism, good deeds that wipe them away, calamities that expiate them, and the intercession granted to those who affirm monotheism. Ultimately, if a person is punished for what still remains of his sins, his monotheism will deliver him from the Fire. As for associating partners with Allah or disbelieving in the Messenger, such acts nullify every good deed so that none remains.

(Fifth Response) One may say to the questioner—if he belongs to the nation upon whom wrath was incurred, the brethren of apes (3): Does the one whose forefathers