This expression, in the language of the Arabs, does not imply equality.
Allah Most High says in the account of the slander:
“Why, when you heard it, did the believing men and women not think well of themselves?”
[Surah al-Nūr: 12]
Yet this did not entail that the believing men and women were equal.
Allah Most High also says in the account of the Children of Israel:
“So repent to your Maker and kill yourselves. That is better for you in the sight of your Maker.”
[Surah al-Baqara: 54]
That is, some of you should kill others. This did not entail that they were equal, nor that those who worshipped the calf were equal to those who did not.
It has likewise been said regarding His words:
“And do not kill yourselves.”
[Surah al-Nisā: 29]
That is, do not let some of you kill others, even though they are not equal.
Allah Most High says:
“And do not disparage yourselves.”
[Surah al-Hujurāt: 11]
That is, let none of you disparage another by impugning him and finding fault with him. This prohibits all believers from subjecting one another to such impugning and fault-finding, even though they are not equal in legal rulings or merit; nor is the wrongdoer like the wronged, or the imam like the one following him in prayer.
The same usage appears in His words:
“Then here you are, killing yourselves.”
[Surah al-Baqara: 85]
That is, some of you kill others.
If the expression in His words, “ourselves and yourselves,” is like the expression in His words:
“And do not disparage yourselves.”
[Surah al-Hujurāt: 11]
and:
“Why, when you heard it, did the believing men and women not think well of themselves?”
[Surah al-Nūr: 12]
and similar passages, while equality here is not necessary but indeed impossible, then the same is true there with even greater force. Rather, the expression indicates that they are of the same kind and resemble one another. Being of the same kind and resembling one another may arise through sharing