And indeed it is true that they killed the prophets; Allah Himself has stated that they slay prophets, and this is undoubtedly one of the gravest kinds of corruption.
In short, whenever these Jews commit corruption, Allah repeats the punishment against them and empowers their enemies over them, just as He did on the first two occasions—and whenever such corruption recurs—just as He says: “And if you return, We will return.” This ruling remains in force until the Day of Resurrection.
Question: Does Allah’s saying at the end of the verse, “So when the latter promise comes,” refer to the second time?
Answer: Yes, it refers to the second time.
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Question: What is the meaning of Allah’s words in Sura al-Isrāʾ: “They ask you about the Spirit. Say, ‘The Spirit is of the affair of my Lord, and you have been given of knowledge only a little.’ If We willed, We could surely take away what We have revealed to you, and then you would find for yourself no guardian against Us—except as a mercy from your Lord. Indeed, His grace upon you is great” (17:85-87)?
Answer: The Jews told the pagan Quraysh in Mecca, “Ask this man—meaning Muhammad ﷺ—about three matters: first, the People of the Cave; second, Dhu’l-Qarnayn; and third, the Spirit. If he answers you about them, then he is a prophet.” Allah, Blessed and Exalted, revealed to His Messenger the answers to those questions concerning the People of the Cave and Dhu’l-Qarnayn. As for the Spirit, Allah the Most High