(25–26) “If they deny you, those before them also denied. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs, written scriptures, and the illuminating Book. Then I seized those who disbelieved—and how terrible was My condemnation!”

That is: If these polytheists deny you, O Messenger, you are not the first messenger to be denied. “Those before them also denied. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs” demonstrating the truth and the veracity of what they told them; “written scriptures,” meaning books in which many rulings had been compiled; “and the illuminating Book,” meaning one that sheds light through its truthful accounts and just rulings. Their denial of the messengers did not therefore arise from any ambiguity or deficiency in what the messengers brought them, but rather from their wrongdoing and obstinacy.

“Then I seized those who disbelieved” with various forms of punishment, “and how terrible was My condemnation” of them! It was the severest condemnation and the most dreadful exemplary punishment. Beware, then, of denying this noble Messenger, lest you be afflicted as they were with painful punishment and grievous disgrace.