"Or do those who have committed evils"—that is, acquired them—"[think that We will make them like those who have believed and done righteous deeds]"—referring to associating partners with God (shirk).
Muhammad said: The meaning of 'ijtaraḥu' (committed) is 'acquired'. It is said: 'So-and-so is the earner for his family,' or 'his family's earner,' meaning: he provides for them. From this, the animals of prey are called 'jawāriḥ' (predators/earners).
"That We will make them like those who have believed and done righteous deeds"—meaning: We shall not make them equal. Those who believed and did righteous deeds shall be in Paradise, while the polytheists shall be in the Fire. This is in reference to the statement of one of them: "And if I should be returned to my Lord," as they say: "Indeed, there will be for me with Him the best [of reward]"—meaning: Paradise. If it were Paradise, "Evil is [the judgment] of their life and their death." Mujahid recited it in the nominative case: 'Sawā'un' (evil is the equality of their life and death), as an initial subject. The meaning is: the believer remains a believer in this world and the Hereafter, and the disbeliever remains a disbeliever. Al-Hasan recited it in the accusative case: 'Sawā'an' (evil is that they should be equal), meaning: that they might be equal—that is, they are not equal. "Evil is what they judge"—meaning: it is a wretched thing for them to equate themselves [with the believers].
