your deeds will surely come to nothing,” and His words:

“So if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Scripture before you.”

Such address is of two types. In one, the wording applies specifically to him, but extends to others all the more emphatically, as in His words:

“O Prophet, why do you forbid what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking to please your wives?”

Then He says:

“Allah has ordained for you a way to release yourselves from your oaths.”

In the other type, an address to him may constitute an address to all people. As many Quran commentators say, “The address is to him, but others are intended.” This does not mean that he himself was not addressed. Rather, he is foremost among those addressed. Thus, addressing him constitutes an address to the entire human race, even though he himself does not commit what he has been forbidden or neglect what he has been commanded. Rather, it is others who do so.

This is like a ruler saying to a commander, “Set out tomorrow for such-and-such a place,” meaning: you and the troops accompanying you. Likewise, when he forbids something to the person he holds in highest esteem, this constitutes a prohibition for those below him. This is a familiar manner of address.

Thus, in His words:

“Whatever good befalls you is from Allah, and whatever evil befalls you is from yourself,”

the address is to him (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and all creation is included in