Tafsir of Az-Zukhruf 43:40

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would strive, exert himself, and weary his soul in calling his people [to the truth], while they increased in nothing but determination upon disbelief and persistence in error.

Therefore, He (Allah) rebuked him with His saying: "Will you then make the deaf hear?" This is a rebuke expressing astonishment that he [the Prophet] could be the one capable of guiding them. He intended that no one is capable of that regarding them except Him alone, by way of compulsion and force, just as the Almighty said: "Indeed, Allah causes whom He wills to hear, but you cannot make hear those who are in the graves" (Fatir: 22).

"So whether We take you away, We will indeed take retribution from them. Or whether We show you that which We have promised them, then indeed, We are over them all-powerful. So hold fast to that which has been revealed to you; indeed, you are on a straight path."