a white fire from heaven, without smoke, yet with a rumbling and whirring sound (1). It would consume and burn that offering and those spoils, and this would be a sign of acceptance. If it was not accepted, it remained as it was.

Al-Suddi said: “Allah Most High commanded the Children of Israel: ‘If someone comes to you claiming to be a messenger of Allah, do not believe him until he brings you an offering that the fire consumes—until the Messiah and Muhammad come to you. When they come to you, believe in them both, for they will come without an offering.’”

Allah Most High said, establishing the proof against them: “Say, O Muhammad: ‘Messengers before me came to you, O assembly of Jews, with clear proofs and with what you have mentioned’”—that is, the offering—“‘so why did you kill them, if you are truthful?’” This refers to Zachariah, John, and the other prophets whom they killed. What is meant are their forefathers, but they were addressed in this manner because they approved of what their forefathers had done. “If you are truthful” means that they denied him despite knowing him to be truthful, just as their forefathers killed the prophets despite their bringing offerings and miracles.

Then, consoling His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, He said:

“If they deny you, then messengers before you were also denied, who came with clear proofs, scriptures, and the enlightening Book. (184) Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your full recompense on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is drawn away from the Fire and admitted into Paradise has truly succeeded. The life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion. (185)”

“If they deny you, then messengers before you were also denied, who came with clear proofs and scriptures”: Ibn Amir recited it, “and with the scriptures,” meaning the books that were inscribed—that is, written. Its singular is zabūr (scripture), like rasūl (messenger) and rusul (messengers). “And the enlightening Book” means the clear and radiant Book.

Concerning His saying, Mighty and Majestic is He, “Every soul”—that is, every living soul—“will taste death”: it is related in the hadith: “When Allah Most High created Adam, the earth complained to its Lord about what had been taken from it. He therefore promised it that He would return to it what had been taken from it. Thus, there is no one except that he is buried in the soil from which he was created.” (2)

“And you will only be given your full recompense”: you will be given the recompense for your deeds in full, “on the Day of Resurrection”—if it is good, then good; and if it is evil, then evil. “Whoever is drawn away” means saved and removed, “from the Fire and admitted into Paradise has truly succeeded”: he has attained salvation and been delivered from fear. “The life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion,” meaning a temporary benefit and pleasure, like an axe, a cooking pot, or a bowl; then it passes away and does not remain.

Al-Hasan said: “It is like the greenness of vegetation and the play of little girls: it yields nothing lasting.”