This call and address are not as they appear. How could they be, when the messengers were sent at different times? The meaning is: the announcement that every messenger in his time was called for that. Mahmoud said: 'This call and address are not as they appear. How could they be, when the messengers were sent at different times? The meaning is the announcement that every messenger in his time was called for that.' Ahmad said: 'This is a whisper of the Mu'tazila, for the doctrine of the Ahl al-Sunnah is that Allah, glorified and exalted is He, is a speaker who commands and forbids eternally. The existence of the addressee is not a condition for the realization of the command. Therefore, His saying: Eat from the good things and do righteous deeds is taken at face value and its truth according to the people of truth. It is established eternally on the condition of the existence of the addressees in what is continuous, whether they are scattered as in this address or gathered as he claims. The Mu'tazila, when they rejected the belief in the eternity of speech, stumbled, so they interpreted this verse and similar ones metaphorically and against the apparent meaning. Why did al-Zamakhshari specify this verse as being against the apparent meaning, while his belief necessitates interpreting similar sayings of Allah, glorified and exalted is He, such as: Establish prayer and give zakat, and all general commands in the community against the apparent meaning?' And it was advised, so that the listener believes that a command was given to all the messengers and they were advised about it, which is truly to be taken and acted upon. The intended good things are what is lawful and pure. It was said: The good provisions are lawful, pure, and sustaining. The lawful is that in which one does not disobey Allah, the pure is that in which one does not forget Allah, and the sustaining is what preserves the soul and protects the mind. Or it is meant what is pleasing and delightful from foods and fruits. This is supported by its coming after the saying: And We sheltered them to a hillock with a firm resting place and a flowing spring. It is possible that this announcement occurs when Jesus and Mary are sheltered to the hillock, mentioned as a narration, meaning: We sheltered them and said to them this, meaning: We informed them that all the messengers were addressed with this, so eat from what We have provided and do righteous deeds, following the messengers.