; beyond that there is not even a mustard seed of faith.”

If it should be the case that someone suffers harm in this world and the Hereafter, contrary to what Allah promised His Messenger and his followers, this is due to his sins and the deficiency of his Islam—as with the defeat that befell them at Uhud. For Allah Most High has said:

“We will surely support Our messengers and those who believe, both in the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses stand forth.”

And He Most High said:

“Our word has already gone forth to Our servants, the messengers:

They will surely be victorious,

And Our army will surely prevail.”

In Allah Most High’s accounts of the prophets and their followers, their victory and deliverance, and the destruction of their enemies, there is a lesson. And Allah knows best.

If it is said:

His words, blessed and exalted is He,

“Whoever among you turns back from his religion—Allah will bring forth a people whom He loves and who love Him,”

are addressed to that generation, as are His words:

“Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession in the land, just as He granted it to those before them.”

That is why the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, explained that they were the people of Yemen who embraced Islam when some of the Arabs apostatized. This is further indicated by the fact that, at the very end, no believer will remain.

The answer is:

His words, blessed and exalted is He,

“O you who believe,”

are addressed to everyone who