[They are the] same who said “God has already made a covenant with us that we should not believe in any messenger until he brings us an offering to be devoured by fire.” Say: “Messengers have come to you before me with clear proofs and with that which you said. Why did you slay them then if you are truthfulḍ” They fabricated lies about God سبحانه to excuse their lack of faith saying “Verily we have been commanded not to believe anyone if we do not see him with our own eyes bringing us an offering. He will offer it to the sky and then a fire will come down to take it.” God most high said “say to them that those who have come before me among the prophets [عليه السلام] have brought you what you have demanded of me in offering but you did not believe. If I were to accede to you in this you would once again not believe.” Whoever has been kept at a distance by what has already been decreed-if the sun were to speak to him with a clear tongue or the mountains prostrate before him and he were to see all this in a moment of truth deeper knowledge ʿirfān would still not enter his heart and he would only increase in doubt after doubt.
