Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:96

(Say) to them again, from your own perspective, after you have already said to them what We told you and clarified to them what wisdom dictates regarding the sending [of messengers], and they did not heed it: (God suffices as a witness) – He, the Exalted and Majestic, alone – (that I have fulfilled what was incumbent upon me toward you by manifesting the miracle in accordance with my claim.)

The first interpretation is considered more likely because it is more in harmony with His saying, Exalted is He, "between Me and you," and likewise with His saying, Exalted is He, explaining the sufficiency: "Indeed, He is of His servants"—meaning the messengers and those to whom they are sent—"all-Aware, All-Seeing," meaning He encompasses their outward and inward states and will requite them for that.

Al-Khafaji claimed that the second [interpretation] is more consistent with the context than the first, as the speech would then be—like that which preceded it—a refutation of their denial that the Messenger is a human being. The Imam held this view as well. He argued that the claim that the first is more consistent with His saying, "Indeed, He is," and so on, has no basis, because its meaning is that of a threat and warning—that He, Exalted is He, knows their outward and inward states, and that they only mentioned this doubt out of envy, a love for leadership, and arrogance toward the truth. This contains consolation for His beloved, may God bless him and grant him peace.

However, you know that the denial that the first is more consistent with that [verse] is groundless, as the opposite is manifest, and it does not negate the fact that the sentence contains a warning and consolation. Furthermore, the matter of its consistency with "between Me and you" remains. Additionally, starting the speech with "Say" provides a kind of reinforcement for the intent of the first [interpretation], as is not hidden to the mindful.

Moreover, He, Exalted is He, did not say "between us" in order to establish the contrast and clarify the distinction. The word "witness" (shahidan) is in the accusative case, either as a state (hal) or as a specifier (tamyiz).