every created thing necessarily has something related to it: an origin, offspring, or a counterpart—or two or all three of these. This is evident in humans, jinn, and animals. As for the angels, although they do not reproduce through procreation, they have counterparts and others like them. Hence He, Glorified be He, says:

“And of all things We created pairs, so that you may take heed.”

“So flee to Allah.”

Some of the early generations said: “So that you may take heed and realize that the Creator of pairs is One.” Thus, this surah refutes those among the Jews, Christians, Sabians, Magians, and polytheists who disbelieved. His words:

“He does not beget”

refute the claim of those who say that He has sons and daughters among the angels or human beings, such as those who say that the angels are Allah’s daughters, or that the Messiah or Ezra is Allah’s son. As He, Most High, says concerning them:

“They have made the jinn partners with Allah, although He created them, and have falsely attributed sons and daughters to Him without knowledge.”

He, Most High, also says:

“So ask them: Does your Lord have daughters while they have sons?
Or did We create the angels female while they were witnesses?
Indeed, it is out of their falsehood that they say,
‘Allah has begotten,’ and they are certainly liars.
Has He chosen daughters over sons?
What is the matter with you? How do you judge?
Will you not then take heed?
Or do you have clear authority?
Then bring your scripture, if you are truthful.
They have claimed a kinship between Him and the jinn, yet the jinn know that they will surely be brought forth.”

He, Most High, also says:

“The Jews say, ‘Ezra is the son of Allah,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Messiah is the son of Allah.’ That is what they say with their mouths, imitating the words of those who disbelieved before them. May Allah destroy them! How deluded they are!”

“They have taken