nor will you worship what I worship in the future. This addresses those whom Allah knew beforehand would not believe.”

He said: “Most scholars concerned with the meanings of the Quran said:

‘It was revealed in the language of the Arabs, following their customary modes of speech. Among their practices is repetition for emphasis and clarification, just as they also use abridgment for ease and brevity.’”

I say:

Some commentators mentioned only the second interpretation, including al-Mahdawī and Ibn ‘Atiyyah.

Ibn ‘Atiyyah said:

“Since His words, ‘I do not worship,’ could mean ‘at present,’ leaving the future open as to what he might worship, clarification came in His words:

‘Nor will I worship what you have worshipped,’

meaning: never, as long as I live.

Then the second occurrence of His words:

‘Nor will you worship what I worship,’

declared decisively that they would never believe, as people whose unseen future had been disclosed, just as Noah was told:

‘None of your people will believe except those who have already believed.’

Note, however, that this addresses particular individuals, whereas that declaration encompassed the people of Noah collectively.”

He said:

“This, then, is the meaning of the reiteration in the surah, and it is masterfully eloquent. It is not mere repetition; rather, it conveys what I have mentioned, together with forceful expression, emphasis, further clarification of the matter, and disavowal of them.”

I say:

This interpretation is better than the preceding one insofar as its proponents explain a meaning