against you.” (1) They would then say, “You have acknowledged that he is truly a prophet in your Book, yet you do not follow him!” This was because, when the people of Medina consulted them about following Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—they said to them, “Believe in him, for he is indeed true.” But then some of them said to others, “Do you tell them what Allah has sent down to you, so that they may have an argument against you before your Lord”—in this world and the Hereafter?

It is also said that they informed the believers of the punishment Allah had inflicted upon them because of their crimes. Then some of them said to others: “[Do you tell them of the punishment Allah has sent down upon you, so that they may contend with you thereby before your Lord, and so that they may see for themselves the honor they hold over you with Allah?” Mujāhid said: “This was said by the Jews of Qurayẓah; some of them said it to others”] (2) when the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said to them, “O brothers of apes and swine!” They said, “Who told Muhammad about this? It could only have come from you.” (3) “Will you not understand?”