Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:49

Refutation of Those Who do not believe in Life after Death Allah tells us about the disbelievers who think it very unlikely that the Resurrection will happen;

وقالوا أيذا كنا عظاما ورفاتا

And they say: When we are bones and fragments. meaning earth. This was the view of Mujahid. Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn Abbas: it means dust.

أإنا لمبعوثون خلقا جديدا

should we really be resurrected (to be) a new creation! meaning, on the Day of Resurrection after we have disintegrated and become nothing, and have been forgotten. Allah tells us about them elsewhere:

يقولون أءنا لمردودون فى الحفرة

أءذا كنا عظما نخرة

قالوا تلك إذا كرة خسرة

They say: "Shall we indeed be returned to (our) former state of life even after we are crumbled bones!'' They say: "It would in that case, be a return with loss!'' (79:10-12) And,

وضرب لنا مثﻼ ونسى خلقه

And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. until the end of two Ayat. (36:78-79) Allah commands His Messenger to respond to them, so He says:

قل كونوا حجارة أو حديدا