But when He speaks of the disbelievers without qualification, He does not mean only those among them who will never believe. The wording does not indicate that at all. Moreover, such an interpretation serves no purpose, since those people are unknown: they are merely a group against whom the word has become binding, indistinguishable from others. Rather, the Prophet is commanded to warn everyone, including those who will believe and those who will not. Using general wording while intending those people alone neither clarifies the particular group intended, nor states the reason why they will never believe, nor connects the judgment to the general meaning. Allah’s speech, exalted be He, is above such shortcomings.
The obstacles He mentions are present in everyone who fails to heed the warning—whether a disbeliever, a hypocrite, a sinner, or otherwise—because of some cause that entails such failure. These obstacles thus prevent the warning from being heeded. Yet these obstacles may disappear, for they are not inseparable from every disbeliever. If, however, the obstacle is the prior word that has become binding against them, it may never disappear, as He says:
“Indeed, those against whom your Lord’s word has become binding will not believe, even if every sign should come to them, until they see the painful punishment.”
He may mention both of these.