and those will gain no benefit from this unless they worship Allah alone, without any partner, and believe in His messengers and the Last Day. These matters are inseparable. Whoever worships Allah alone must also believe in His messengers and the Last Day, thereby deserving reward. Otherwise, he is among those subject to the threat of punishment, remaining in torment forever. This applies when the proof has been established against him through the messengers.
Since those endowed with authority and those endowed with knowledge may either oppose the messengers or follow them, Allah has mentioned this in numerous places in His Book. He mentioned Pharaoh; the man who disputed with Abraham concerning his Lord because Allah had granted him kingship; and the chiefs among the peoples of Noah, ‘Ād, and others who arrogantly rejected the messengers. He also mentioned what their scholars said, as in His words:
“When their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they rejoiced in the knowledge they possessed, but they were overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.”
“When they saw Our punishment, they said, ‘We believe in Allah alone and renounce those we used to associate with Him.’”
“But their faith did not benefit them once they had seen Our punishment. Such is Allah’s established way with His servants. And there the disbelievers lost everything.”
Allah Most High also said:
“None dispute concerning Allah’s signs except those who disbelieve, so do not let their going to and fro throughout the lands deceive you.”
“Before them, the people of Noah denied, as did the factions after them. Every nation plotted to seize its messenger, and they argued with falsehood to refute the truth thereby. So I seized them—and how severe was My punishment!”
—up to His words—
“Those who dispute concerning Allah’s signs without any authority having come to them—greatly hateful is this to Allah and to those who believe. Thus does Allah seal the heart of every arrogant tyrant.”
Authority means the revelation sent down from Allah, as is mentioned in more than one