The phrase...

The phrase, "and their offspring follow them in faith", proves that the preceding word, "those who believe" refers to a particular group of the believers - the foremost and the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers who followed the Apostle in the hour of straitness. The epithet, those who believe, is a title of honor bestowed on that distinguished group. Other two verses too point to this fact: (It is) for the poor who fled . . .

and those who made their abode in the city and in the faith before them . . . and those who came after them say: "Our Lord! forgive us and those of our brethren who had precedence of us in faith, and do not create any spite in our hearts towards those who believe; our Lord! surely Thou art Kind, Merciful" (59:8-10). This verse uses two phrases, "who had precedence of us in faith", and "those who believe".

If the import of both were the same, a pronoun would have looked better in place of the second phrase. By not using a pronoun, Allah has made it clear that each phrase has its own significance. Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah; and those with him are severe against the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves, you will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure; . . .

Allah has promised those among them who believe and do good, forgiveness and a great reward (48:29). All this shows that the phrase, "those who believe", is a title of honor reserved for the first and foremost of the believers. Most probably, the opposite phrase, "those who disbelieve", has the contrasting significance, and refers to the polytheists of Mecca and others who were the first and foremost of those who disbelieved in the Apostle of Allah (s.a.w.a.).

For example, Surely those who disbelieve alike is to them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe. (2:6) Objection: This interpretation means that when the Qur'an says, "0 you who believe! ", it addresses a special group that was present in the Prophet's time, to the exclusion of all other believers.

But all the Muslims agree that such verses are general in their import and that what is said therein applies to all the believers, whether they were present in the Prophet's days or not; and that this mode of address includes all the believers in reality, not metaphorically. Reply: Yes! It is a title of honor reserved for a selected few. But it does not mean that what is said in those verses is in any way restricted to those few.