ﱳ ﱴ ﱵ ﱶ ﱷ ﱸ ﱹ ﱺ ﱻ ﱼ ﱽ ﱾ ﱿ ﲀ
But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."
Tafsir
Verse range: 21:5
"Nay, they said..." They turned away from their claim that it is "magic" to the claim that it is "a jumble of dreams," then to the claim that it is "a fabrication he invented," then to the claim that it is "the speech of a poet." Thus, falsehood is incoherent, and the one who propagates it is bewildered, constantly shifting, and never steadfast upon a single statement.
Alternative Interpretation: It is possible that this is a ranking by Allah the Exalted of their statements in terms of corruption: their second statement is more corrupt than the first, the third more corrupt than the second, and likewise the fourth more corrupt than the third.
Regarding the comparison: The validity of the comparison in His saying, "...as the former ones were sent," lies in the fact that it carries the meaning: "as the former ones brought signs." This is because the sending of messengers inherently includes the bringing of signs. Do you not see that there is no difference between saying, "Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent," and saying, "Muhammad brought a miracle"?
