Shaykh al-Islām also said:

This is an explanation of verses that have proved so difficult that some Quran commentaries contain only erroneous interpretations of them. Among these are His words:

“We will surely expel you, O Shu‘ayb, and those who believe with you from our town”—to the end of the verse—and other passages of similar meaning.

The correct understanding is that Allah, glorified be He, chooses for His message only those who are among the best of their people, even in lineage, as indicated in the hadith of Heraclius. It is no fault in someone raised among ignorant polytheists to follow a religion like theirs, provided he is known for truthfulness, trustworthiness, doing what they recognize as obligatory, and refraining from what they recognize as reprehensible.

Allah Most High says:

“We never punish until We have sent a messenger.”

Thus, these people did not deserve punishment, and there is nothing in this to deter others from accepting what they convey. For this reason, none of the polytheists cited it as grounds for discrediting them. There is agreement that a messenger may be sent without knowing about the prophethood and revealed laws of earlier messengers, and that whoever does not acknowledge these after the message has come is a disbeliever,