Ibn ‘Abbâs narrates that he said: 'There is an ayah in Allah’s book about which the people do not ask me, and I do not know if it is because they know it already or are ignorant of it.' He was asked: 'What is it?' He said: 'An ayah. When the ayah came down: Indeed, you [disbelievers] and what you worship other than Allah are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to [enter] it. [21:98] That distressed the people of Makkah. They said: 'Muhammad insulted our gods!' Ibn az-Zab‘ara stood up and asked: 'What is wrong with all of you?' They said: 'Muhammad insulted our gods!' He asked: 'What did he say?' They said: 'He said: Indeed, you [disbelievers] and what you worship other than Allah are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to [enter] it. [21:98] He said: 'Call him to me.' Muhammad (saws) was summoned to him, and Ibn az-Zab‘arah asked: 'O Muhammad, is this something for our gods exclusively, or for anything that is worshipped, other than Allah?' He replied: 'No, it is for everything worshipped, other than Allah.' He said: 'Then we reject it, by the Lord of this structure! O Muhammad, do you not claim that Jesus is a righteous servant, that Ezra is a righteous servant, and that the angels are righteous servants?' He said: 'Indeed.' He then said: 'But these Christians worship Jesus, and these Jews worship Ezra, and these people of Banu Maleeh worship the angels.' The people of Makkah went into an uproar. Then came down: Indeed, those for whom the best [reward] has preceded from Us - (referring to Jesus, Ezra, and the angels) … they are from it far removed. [21:101] Then came down: And when the son of Mary was presented as an example, immediately your people laughed aloud. [43:57] [Sound: Narrated by Ahmad (2917), and at-Tabarâni in al-Kabeer (12/153), and at-Tahâwi in Sharh Mushkil al-Athar (986)]