weak. A disjunctive exception cannot occur in an affirmative statement. Were this permissible, anyone could claim that any exception he wished was disjunctive. Moreover, in a disjunctive exception, the category excepted is not part of the original category, whereas believers are part of humankind.

Some have explained the verse, according to the first interpretation, as meaning that when a believer becomes incapable of performing deeds, he continues to be credited for what he used to do.

Ibrāhīm al-Nakhaʿī said:

“When a believer becomes so old that he can no longer perform deeds, Allah credits him for what he used to do. This is what He means by His words, ‘For they will have an uninterrupted reward.’”

Ibn Qutaybah said:

“The meaning is: ‘Except those who believe’ while they possess strength and ability. Their reward is not diminished in old age, even if they become incapable of acts of obedience. Allah knows that, had He not taken away their strength, they would not have ceased doing good, so He continues to grant them its reward.”

In reply, one may say: This also holds true during youth, when a young person becomes unable to act because of illness or travel. As reported in the two Sahīh collections, Abū Mūsā narrated that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“When a servant falls ill or travels, Allah credits him with the deeds he used to perform while healthy and resident.”

Others have explained it by citing the report that Ibn ʿAbbās said:

“Whoever recites the Quran will not be reduced to decrepit old age.”

In reply, one may say: This applies specifically to someone who recites the Quran, whereas the verse excepts those who believe and do righteous deeds, whether they recite the Quran or do not