are both false with respect to this verse, for what is meant is blessings and calamities. This is why He used the words, “If it befalls them.” As for the pronoun “them,” it has been said that it refers to the hypocrites, to the Jews, or to both groups.

The correct view is that it refers to whoever makes this statement, regardless of the group to which he belongs. Hence it has been said that no particular person can be identified as its speaker, because some people are always saying it. The verse therefore encompasses everyone who says it. Indeed, those who impugn what the Messenger (1) brought include unbelievers and hypocrites; even those with sickness in their hearts or who are ignorant say such things. Many people likewise say this about some of what the Messenger brought, unaware that he brought it, because they believe the person who holds it to be mistaken, when they themselves are mistaken.

When victory and provision come to them, they say, “This is from Allah,” yet they do not ascribe it to what the Messenger brought, even though that was a cause of it. But when diminished provision, fear of the enemy, and the enemy’s ascendancy befall them, they say, “This is from you,” because he commanded jihad, with all the consequences that followed. They took what he brought as an ill omen, just as Pharaoh’s people took what Moses brought as an ill omen.

The early Muslims mentioned both meanings. Ibn Abbās said, “Because of your ill omen,” while Ibn Zayd said, “Because of your poor judgment.” Allah Most High said:

“Say, ‘All is from Allah.’”

[Surah al-Nisā 78]

Ibn Abbās also said concerning good and evil: “As for good, He blessed you with it; as for evil, He tested you with it.”

“What is the matter with these people that they can hardly understand any discourse?!”

Regarding expressions of this kind, it has been said: They did not understand it (2), nor did they come close to doing so; and negation is the counterpart of affirmation. Another view is that it instead means that they understood it (3) only after they had nearly failed to understand it (4), as in His words: