Among those who mentioned this was Abū Bakr ibn Fūrak. He said: “Its meaning is: ‘Is it, then, from yourself?’ This is supported by the poet’s words:

Then they said, ‘Do you love her?’ I replied, ‘How greatly!
As countless as the sand, the pebbles, and the dust.’”

I say: The omission of an interrogative particle where the wording indicates it does not justify assuming its omission in a particular statement without any indication. That would contradict the intended meaning. It would also mean that anyone wishing to deny something Allah has stated could do so by positing an omitted interrogative particle in His statement and interpreting it as a rhetorical question expressing denial.

In terms of Arabic usage, this resembles the claim some have made concerning Abraham’s words, peace be upon him, “This is my Lord”: that they mean, “Is this my Lord?” Ibn al-Anbārī said: “This interpretation is irregular, because the interrogative particle cannot be omitted when it distinguishes a statement from a question.”

These people cited His words:

“If you die, will they live forever?”

But this provides no evidence for their position. The interrogative particle has already appeared at the beginning of the sentence, in the conditional construction in the passage:

“We did not grant immortality to any human before you.”

There was therefore no need to repeat it; indeed, repeating it would spoil the wording. Likewise are His words:

“So if he dies or is killed