Servants of Ours, and My Servants

Here is something of great interest. Most of the time Allah says qul li-ʿibādī, yā ʿibādī, yā ʿibādī — My servants, which generally speaks of the believers. Now look at the beginning of the chapter, where Allah (swt) says fa-idhā jāʾa waʿdu ūlāhumā baʿathnā ʿalaykum ʿibādan lanā: when that first instance of the rebellion and excess of the Banū Isrāʾīl began, We sent upon them servants lanā, of Ours, belonging to Us.

Why say it so? Why not simply say ʿibādunā, ʿibādanā — Our servants — plainly, as He says it when it comes to the believers? This is a very subtle point, and it may be because these people were not Muslims; they were disbelievers. So they are still servants, still servants of Mine; but they are not My servants, not behaving as My servants. Whereas everywhere else one sees wa qul li-ʿibādī, yā ʿibādiya alladhīna asrafū. That is of great interest, and all of this may be read for oneself.