“What, then, makes you deny recompense?” He claimed that it was revealed concerning ‘Ayyāsh ibn Abī Rabī‘ah.

The second interpretation is that it addresses the Messenger, and this is more evident. Man has only been spoken about, not directly addressed. It is to the Messenger that the Quran was revealed, and he is the one addressed in these surahs, as in His words:

“Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor despised you.”

And His words:

“Have We not expanded your breast for you?”

And His words:

“Read in the name of your Lord.”

When man is addressed, he is told:

“O man, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous?”

“O man, you are striving hard towards your Lord.”

Moreover, if we suppose that this addresses man, it must address mankind as a whole, as in His words, “O man, you are striving.” According to these interpreters, however, it addresses only the disbeliever who denies the Recompense.

Furthermore, His words, “calls you a liar, after this, concerning the Recompense,” mean “declares you to be a liar.” This is the familiar usage in Arabic. The expression kadhdhaba ghayrahu, meaning “he accused another of lying and declared him a liar,” is well known, and the Quran abounds in this usage. Whenever Allah mentions the deniers’ rejection of the messengers, or rejection of the truth and the like, this is what He means.