If you say: From where was his saying, "Indeed, I am a human like you, to whom revelation is sent," a response to their saying, "Our hearts are in coverings"? [Mahmood said: "If you say: How was this a response to what preceded?" Ahmad said: And he answered in a way we summarize: You say: When they completely refused to accept him, blessings and peace be upon him, he began by establishing the proof of the necessity of accepting him. For he is a human like them, with no ability to show the miracles that appeared. Only Allah, glorified and exalted is He, is capable of showing them as a confirmation for him, blessings and peace be upon him. Then he clarified to them, after establishing the proof against them, the most important thing he was sent with, which is monotheism. Under the concept of uprightness, all details of the law are included, and he completed that by warning them about the consequences of not accepting with a long woe."] I say: From the fact that he said to them: I am not a king, but rather I am a human like you, and revelation has been sent to me without you. Thus, my prophethood is confirmed—through revelation to me while I am a human. If my prophethood is confirmed, it is obligatory upon you to follow me. And what is revealed to me is that your God is one God, so be upright towards Him. Stand firm in monotheism and sincerity of worship, not turning right or left, nor looking towards what the devil may tempt you with regarding taking allies and intercessors. And repent to Him for what has preceded you of polytheism and seek His forgiveness. It was read: He said, "Indeed, I am a human."

If you say: Why did he specify among the attributes of the polytheists the withholding of zakat, coupled with disbelief in the Hereafter? I say:

Because the most beloved thing to a person is what he possesses, and it is akin to his soul. If he gives it in the way of Allah, that is the strongest evidence of his steadfastness, uprightness, sincerity of intention, and purity of character. Do you not see His saying, the Exalted: "And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking the pleasure of Allah and to strengthen themselves"? That is: they strengthen themselves and demonstrate their steadfastness by spending their wealth. And the ones whose hearts are inclined were only deceived by a fleeting glimpse of this world, which weakened their solidarity and softened their resolve. And the people of apostasy after the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, only manifested their apostasy by withholding zakat. Thus, war was declared against them, and they were fought. [Mahmood said: "If you say: Why was zakat specified? And he answered that the most beloved things to a person are his wealth, which is akin to his soul. Thus, giving it is a proof of his uprightness and purity of character. And the ones whose hearts are inclined were only deceived by a fleeting glimpse of this world. And the people of apostasy only manifested their apostasy by withholding zakat. Thus, war was declared against them, and they were fought." Ahmad said: This is good after changing the phrase: 'And the ones whose hearts are inclined were only deceived,' for using the term 'deceived' is not appropriate, because they were only made to incline towards faith by the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, through kindness and repelling evil with good, and granting them in this manner.] In it is a call for the believers to perform zakat, and a severe warning against withholding it, as it was made one of the attributes of the polytheists and coupled with disbelief in the Hereafter. It was said: The Quraysh would feed the pilgrims, while they would prohibit those among them who believed in the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him. And it was said: They do not do what would make them pure, which is faith.