The Twelfth Principle: Qurʼanic verses that the short-sighted imagine to be mutually contradictory must each be interpreted in the way that befits its context and purpose.

This rule applies in many places throughout the Qurʼan. One example is the set of verses that inform us, on the one hand, that the unbelievers will not speak at all on the Day of Resurrection, and, on the other hand, that they will in fact speak, dispute, offer excuses, and acknowledge the truth. The reconciliation is that, at first, they will indeed speak—trying to justify themselves, even denying their unbelief and swearing to that effect. But once their tongues are sealed and their own limbs testify to what they used to do, and when they realise that deception is of no benefit, they are struck dumb and can no longer utter a word.

The same applies to the verses that state Allah will neither speak to them nor look at them on that Day, while other passages affirm that He will address them. The negation concerns any speech that would please them or confer honour upon them, whereas the affirmation refers to the address by which Allah rebukes and chastises them. The former therefore indicates His wrath and displeasure, while the latter exposes their condition and shows all creatures the perfection of Allah’s justice in placing punishment precisely where it belongs.

A comparable instance is found in one verse that says, “On that Day no human or jinn will be asked about his sin” (55:39), while other verses declare that they will be questioned: “What was it that you used to worship?” (26:92); “What answer did you give to the messengers?” (28:65); and they will be asked about all their deeds. The questioning that is negated is the questioning made for the purpose of obtaining information and clarification about matters