And when He made clear their disbelief by killing the prophets; He made clear their disbelief by the slander which is the cause of the killing; and the trial is greater than the killing; so He said - magnifying it by reiterating the action -: "And by their disbelief"; meaning: the absolute disbelief; which is the cause of their transgression against the disbelief in a specific prophet; like Musa - blessings and peace be upon him -; and against the slander; so that some of their disbelief is connected to another; and for this reason He said: "And their saying against Maryam"; meaning: after their knowledge of what appeared through her of the miracles indicating her innocence; and that she is devoted to worship through various acts of obedience; "a great slander";