According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the Quran in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 18, addresses the claim by some Jews and Christians: "We are the children of Allah and His beloved ones." Tafsir al-Tabari explains this was not necessarily a claim of literal biological sonship, but one of special status, honor, and immunity from punishment. The Quran presents an immediate and powerful logical refutation, as explained by Ibn Kathir, by posing the question: "Say, 'Why then does He punish you for your sins?'" This irrefutable argument highlights that the existence of divine chastisement for their wrongdoings proves they are subject to the same universal laws of justice as all other humans. The verse concludes by establishing the fundamental Islamic principle of universal accountability and Tawheed, stating, "Nay, you are but human beings, of those He has created... And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth." This verse is a cornerstone in Islamic theology, rejecting religious exceptionalism and affirming that one's standing with God is determined by piety and deeds, not by lineage or group identity.