Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:50

"And they said, 'Why have signs not been sent down to him...'"

It is read as āyah (singular) and āyāt (plural). They meant: "Why has a sign not been sent down upon him, like the she-camel of Salih, the table of Jesus—peace be upon them both—and the like?"

"Say, 'The signs are only with Allah'" He sends down whichever He wills. Had He willed to send down what you propose, He would have done so.

"And I am only a clear warner" I am tasked with warning and clarifying it through the signs I have been given. It is not for me to choose signs from Allah, saying, "Send down this sign rather than that one," knowing that the purpose of a sign is to establish proof, and all signs are equal in that regard.

"Is it not sufficient for them..." Is it not enough for them—as a sign that renders all other signs unnecessary, if they were seekers of truth rather than obstinate—that this Qur’an is recited to them in every place and time? It remains with them as a permanent sign that does not vanish or perish, unlike other signs which disappear after occurring and are limited to specific places.

"Indeed, in that..." In such a sign, present in every place and time until the end of days, there is a mercy—a great blessing that is not being thanked—and a reminder for a people who believe.

It is said: "Is it not sufficient for them?" refers to the Jews, meaning: "Have I not sent down to you the Book, which is recited to them, confirming the descriptions of you and your religion that they already possess?"

It is also said: A group of Muslims brought the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) a shoulder blade upon which they had written some of what the Jews were saying. When he looked at it, he cast it aside and said: "It is sufficient folly or misguidance for a people that they turn away from what their Prophet brought them to what others brought them." Thereupon, this verse was revealed. The first interpretation [regarding the Qur'an] is the correct one.

"Sufficient is Allah as a Witness between me and you" He knows that I have conveyed to you what I was sent with and that I have warned you, and that you have met me with denial and rejection.

"He knows what is in the heavens and the earth" He is aware of my affair and yours, and He knows my truth and your falsehood.

"And those who believe in falsehood..." From among you—that is, what you worship besides Allah—"and disbelieve in Allah and His signs, it is they who are the losers." They are the ones cheated in their transaction, having traded faith for disbelief.

Note: The speech is framed in a manner of fairness, similar to His saying: "And indeed, we or you are either upon guidance or in clear error" (Saba: 24), and the saying of Hassan: "The worst of you is a ransom for the best of you."

It is reported that Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf and his companions said: "O Muhammad, who will testify for you that you are the Messenger of Allah?" Thereupon, this was revealed.

"And they urge you to hasten the punishment. And if not for a specified term, the punishment would have reached them. But it will surely come to them suddenly while they do not perceive. They urge you to hasten the punishment. And indeed, Hell will encompass the disbelievers. On the Day the punishment will cover them from above them and from below their feet and He will say, 'Taste what you used to do.'"