183

Those (alladhīna, an adjectival qualification of the previous alladhīna, 'those who' [Q. 3:181]) same who said, to Muhammad "sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam" , 'Allahu ta’ālā has already made covenant with us, in the Torah, that we should not believe in any Messenger (rasūl), accepting his truthfulness, until he bring us an offering to be devoured by fire', and so we will not believe in you until you bring us this [offering], namely, of grazing livestock or other [kind of animal] one offers [in sacrifice] to Allahu ta’ālā. If it is accepted, a white fire will come down from the heaven and consume it, otherwise it will remain as it is. Such a covenant was made with the Children of Israel, but not in the case of Jesus and Muhammad. Allahu ta’ālā, exalted be He, says, Say, to them in rebuke: 'messengers (rusul) have come to you before me with clear proofs, with miracles, and with that which you said, [messengers (rusul)] such as Zachariah and John, but you slew them: the address here is for those living at the time of our Prophet Muhammad "sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam" , even though the deed was their forefathers', for they [their descendants] are content with it. Why did you slay them, then, if you are truthful?', about [the fact] that you would believe if it [the offering] were brought [to you].