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And had We prescribed for them: (the particle an, 'that', is explicative) 'Slay yourselves' or 'Leave your habitations,', as We did for the Children of Israel, they would not have done it, that is, what has been prescribed for them, save a few (read nominative qalīlun, as a substitution; or read accusative qalīlan, as an exceptive clause) of them; yet if they had done what they were admonished to do, of obedience to the Messenger (rasūl) "sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam" , it would have been better for them, and stronger in establishing, [a stronger] confirmation of their faith.