and ʿUmar, as well as anyone like them to whom abundance was granted yet who did not transgress.

When the disbeliever is singled out, however, the charge of tyranny is attached to him, as in the verse concerning Qarun:

“but he transgressed against them” [al-Qasas 28:76],

and in the case of Nimrod son of Canaan, when Allah gave him sovereignty and he disputed about his Lord, and in the case of Pharaoh, of whom Moses said:

“Our Lord, You have given Pharaoh and his chiefs splendor and wealth in the life of this world” [Yunus 10:88].

Thus, when both groups share the same designation and the label of transgression is applied, the disbelievers are the ones most deserving of it, just as the believer is the one most entitled to praise.

When Allah, exalted be He, says,

“Never does a new reminder come to them from their Lord” [al-Anbiya 21:2],

He is in fact combining two reminders: the reminder that comes directly from Allah and the reminder conveyed by His Prophet. The remembrance of Allah, when mentioned on its own, is never described as something new. Have you not heard His words,

“Indeed, the remembrance of Allah is greater” [al-ʿAnkabut 29:45],

and,

“This is a blessed reminder” [al-Anbiya 21:50]?

By contrast, when the Prophet’s reminder—peace and blessings be upon him—stands alone, it is described as “new.” Have you not heard His statement,

“Allah created you and what you do” [as-Saffat 37:96]?

The Prophet, upon him be peace, performs deeds, whereas Allah is the Creator who brings them into existence.

The proof that the verse unites the two reminders lies in His saying,

“Never does a new reminder come to them from their Lord” [al-Anbiya 21:2];

novelty is attributed to it because it comes to us, and you know that no one brings us news except a messenger and a reminder-giver. Allah says:

“And remind, for the reminder benefits the believers” [adh-Dhariyat 51:55];

“So remind, if the reminder should benefit” [al-Aʿla 87:9];

“You are only a reminder” [al-Ghashiyah 88:21].

Therefore, when they are gathered under the common term “reminder,” the description of newness applies; and when the Prophet’s reminder stands by itself it is called created and is more deserving of being termed new than the remembrance of Allah, which, when mentioned alone, is never called created or new.

From Allah’s words,

“Never does a new reminder come to them from their Lord” [al-Anbiya 21:2],

we understand that the reference is to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—for he had no knowledge until Allah taught him, and when Allah taught him, that knowledge was indeed something new to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.