after the clear evidence had come to them. Thus, they had no excuse for this. For this reason, Muhammad’s community was forbidden to imitate them:

“And do not be like those who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them.”

The people to whom Muhammad was sent are likewise. Whoever disbelieved would not be released until the clear evidence came to him. Those among the nations who believed in Muhammad and then became divided and differed did so only after the clear evidence had come to them. All of them were commanded

“only to worship Allah, devoting their religion sincerely to Him, turning away from falsehood, to establish prayer and give zakah. That is the upright religion.”

The verse praises the Lord and describes His wisdom, justice, and proof: He does not leave them without sending them a messenger. As He said to the People of the Book:

“Our Messenger has come to you, making things clear to you after an interval between messengers, lest you say, ‘No bearer of good tidings or warner has come to us.’ Now a bearer of good tidings and a warner has come to you”—to the end of the verse.

It does not praise them for persisting in disbelief until the Messenger comes. At most, this means that they are not punished for it until the Messenger comes, not that they are praised for it until he comes. No rational person would say such a thing, nor has anyone said it—especially since the proof had already been established against the People of the Book through prophets before him.