Tafsir of Yunus 10:94-95

"So if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to you..."

Question: How could He say to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), "If you are in doubt," while saying of the disbelievers, "And they are in doubt concerning it, disquieting"?

Answer: There is a vast difference between the statement "They are in doubt," which affirms doubt for them by way of confirmation and verification, and the statement "If you are in doubt," which is by way of hypothesis and analogy. It is as if it were said: "If a doubt were to occur to you—for example, if Satan were to suggest a fancy to you—by way of supposition, then ask those who read the Scripture."

The meaning is that Allah (Mighty and Majestic is He) previously mentioned the Children of Israel, who are the readers of the Scripture, and described them as having received knowledge. This is because the affair of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is written with them in the Torah and the Gospel, and they know him as they know their own sons. He intended to confirm their knowledge of the truth of the Qur’an and the truth of Muhammad’s prophethood (peace be upon him) and to emphasize it.

Thus, He said: "If a doubt were to occur to you"—by way of hypothesis and supposition—"and it is the way of one who is troubled by a doubt in religion to hasten to resolve and remove it, either by returning to the principles and proofs of religion, or by debating with scholars who point to the truth—then ask the scholars of the People of the Scripture."

This means they possess such comprehensive knowledge of the truth of what was revealed to you that they are fit for someone like you to consult, let alone others. The purpose is to describe the rabbis as being firmly rooted in the knowledge of the truth of what Allah revealed to His Messenger, not to describe the Messenger as being in doubt about it.

Then He said: "The truth has come to you from your Lord"—meaning, it has been established for you through signs and decisive proofs that what has come to you is the truth, in which there is no room for doubt.

"So do not be among the doubters. And do not be among those who denied the signs of Allah"—meaning, remain firm and continue in your state of being free from doubt and denial of Allah’s signs.

It is also possible that this is by way of incitement and provocation, like His saying: "So do not be a supporter of the disbelievers," and "Do not let them turn you away from the signs of Allah after they have been revealed to you," for the sake of increased steadfastness and protection (‘ismah). That is why the Prophet (ﷺ) said upon its revelation: "I do not doubt, and I do not ask; rather, I bear witness that it is the truth."

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah, he did not doubt for the blinking of an eye, nor did he ask any of them."

It is also said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was addressed, but the intent was to address his nation: "If you (plural) are in doubt about what We have revealed to you," based on His saying: "And We have revealed to you a clear light."

It is also said: The address is to the listener who is capable of doubt, like the Arab saying: "If your brother is mighty, then be humble."

It is also said: "In" (if) is for negation, meaning: "You were not in doubt, so ask." This means: We do not command you to ask because you are a doubter, but so that you may increase in certainty, just as Abraham (peace be upon him) increased in certainty through the signs of the resurrection of the dead.

It is recited: "Ask those who read the Books."

"Indeed, those upon whom the word of your Lord has come into effect will not believe, even if every sign should come to them, until they see the painful punishment."