What is the authenticity of the interpretation of the Hadith which mentions that the Jews will say on the Day of Judgment that Ezra is the son of God—given our knowledge that the Jews do not believe in his divinity—and is the reason for the revelation of the verse, "And the Jews say, 'Ezra is the son of Allah'" weak?

The intent behind "the Jews" in the Almighty's verse: "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah," is the generality of Jews, not all of them. The definite article "al-" here is for indicating the genus, not for comprehensive inclusion. Arabs may use a plural term for a singular entity. They were rightly condemned for this because they did not disavow this atrocious statement.

Scholars have differed on who made this statement, with several opinions: - That it was the statement of all of them. - That it was the statement of a group from their predecessors. - That it was the statement of a group of those who lived during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. There is also disagreement about them: it was said that it was only Phinehas, and it was also said that it was a group of them. The Jews in these times have disavowed this statement; thus, it is possible that the group who made this statement has become extinct.

What is said regarding the verse also applies to the hadith narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, elevated (to the Prophet): "The Jews will be called and it will be said to them: 'Whom did you worship?' They will say: 'We used to worship Ezra, the son of Allah.'" The intent here is those among them who held this belief.