Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:18

"And if you deny" is a conjunction connected to an omitted clause, the estimation of which is: "If you believe me, then you have attained the happiness of both worlds; and if you deny"—that is, deny me regarding what I have informed you of, namely that you shall return to Him, the Exalted, through resurrection—"then nations before you have already denied." This is, in reality, a justification for the response. The underlying meaning is: You will not harm me by your denial, for nations before you have already denied their messengers—namely Seth, Idris, Noah, Hud, and Salih, peace be upon them—and their denial did not harm them in the least; rather, it harmed the nations themselves, as it was the cause of the torment that befell them. Thus, your denial of me is the same.

"And there is not upon the Messenger except the clear conveyance"—that is, the communication that leaves no room for doubt. It is not incumbent upon him that his people believe him at all, and I have fulfilled the duty of conveyance with nothing more to be added; therefore, your denial after that does not harm me in the slightest.

This verse, namely "And if you deny..." up to what we have mentioned, is part of the narrative of Abraham, peace be upon him, as is what follows, according to some, up to the words of the Almighty: "And the answer of his people was not..." It has also been permitted that this serves as an interjection, mentioning the affair of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and the Quraysh, undermining their doctrine and threatening them for their evil deeds. It is placed in the middle of the story's flow to console the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and to relieve him, showing that his forefather, the Friend of the Most Merciful (Abraham), was tested with the same as he was tested with: the polytheism and denial of his people. It likens his situation among them to the situation of Abraham, peace be upon them both. They stated: "And if you deny" is parenthetical, and the address is either from the Almighty or from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—meaning: "And say to the Quraysh: 'If you deny...'" etc.

Some verifiers have held that the words of the Almighty "If you deny..." etc., are part of the speech of Abraham, peace be upon him, and the words of the Glorified: [continued in the text].