Tafsir of Al Imran 3:183

"Those who said, 'Indeed...'"

"God has taken a covenant from us" He commanded us in the Torah and enjoined upon us not to believe in any messenger until he brings us this specific sign: that he shows us an offering which fire from heaven descends to consume, just as the prophets of the Children of Israel had that as their sign. A prophet would offer a sacrifice, pray, and fire would descend from heaven to consume it.

This is a false claim and a fabrication against God. The fire consuming the offering did not necessitate belief in the messenger who brought it except by virtue of it being a sign and a miracle. Therefore, it is equal to all other signs, and it is not permissible for God Almighty to single it out from among all other signs.

God has compelled them [by pointing out] that their prophets came to them with numerous clear proofs that necessitated their belief, and they also came to them with this very sign they proposed. So why did they kill them, if they were truthful in their claim that belief is necessitated by the bringing of that sign? (Note: "bi-qurban" was also recited with two dammahs).

"And with that which you say" If you ask: What is the meaning of His saying, "And with that which you say"? I say: Its meaning is "and with the meaning of that which you have said," referring to your statement about an offering consumed by fire. Its implication is like His saying, "Then they return to what they said" (Al-Mujadilah: 3), meaning the meaning of what they said. In the codices of the people of the Levant, it is written "and with the Zabur," which refers to the scriptures.

"And the Enlightening Book" The Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms.

This is a consolation for the Messenger of God, peace be upon him, regarding the denial of his people and the denial of the Jews.