ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَهِدَ إِلَيْنَآ أَلَّا نُؤْمِنَ لِرَسُولٍ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَنَا بِقُرْبَانٍ تَأْكُلُهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۗ قُلْ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِى بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَبِٱلَّذِى قُلْتُمْ فَلِمَ قَتَلْتُمُوهُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ 183
Translations
[They are] those who said, "Indeed, Allāh has taken our promise not to believe any messenger until he brings us an offering which fire [from heaven] will consume." Say, "There have already come to you messengers before me with clear proofs and [even] that of which you speak. So why did you kill them, if you should be truthful?"
Transliteration
Alladhīna qālū inna Allāha 'ahida ilaynā allā nu'mina li-rasūlin ḥattā ya'tīnā bi-qurbānin ta'kuluhu al-nār. Qul qad jā'akum rusulun min qablī bi-al-bayyināt wa-bi-alladhī qultum fa-lima qataltumūhum in kuntum ṣādiqīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the false excuse of the Jewish scholars who claimed that Allah had covenanted with them not to believe in any messenger unless he brought a sacrifice that fire would consume from heaven. The Qur'an refutes their claim by pointing out that previous messengers came with clear proofs and even brought the very sign they demanded, yet they killed those messengers—proving their stubbornness was not due to lack of evidence but to rejection and malice. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the Jewish practice of accepting sacrifices only when fire descended upon them (as occurred with Prophets Elijah and other righteous figures), which became a pretext for denying Prophet Muhammad.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period during interactions with the People of the Book (primarily Jews of Medina) who disputed the Prophet's message. The context of Surah Ali 'Imran addresses various objections raised by Jews and Christians, and this particular verse responds to their false claims about covenants from Allah regarding acceptance of prophets. It is situated within a broader discussion about the distortions of the Torah and the rejection of prophets throughout history.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that when the Prophet offered sacrifice, fire would consume it as a sign of acceptance. Additionally, Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:27) references the story of Cain and Abel, where Abel's sacrifice was accepted (fire consumed it) while Cain's was rejected, illustrating the principle of divine acceptance of sincere offerings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that those who reject truth often invent excuses and conditions that are either impossible or already fulfilled, revealing their true hearts rather than genuine seeking. We should examine our own objections to truth and ensure they stem from honest inquiry rather than hidden desires to reject guidance.