And when He, the Most High, informed that He sent the messengers; and the consequence of those who denied them was destruction; by the evidence of their traces; and they had indeed criticized the message; by the fact that the messenger was a human; then by the fact that there was no angel with him to support him; He refuted that by His saying - addressing the noblest of His creation - blessings and peace be upon him and his family -; for he made them understand about him; while he is the most exalted of those who rely and are patient; returning to the manifestation of majesty; clarifying that He shows whom He wills over whom He wills -: "And We did not send"; meaning: by virtue of our greatness; and when sending indeed occurs only at certain times; He indicated that with the preposition; so He said: "before you"; to the nations from the groups of humanity; "except men"; not angels; but humans; who are fully capable of reliance; and patience; which is the basis of steadfastness; "We inspire to them"; through the angels; and how excellent is the follow-up of that for the patient ones! For the messengers are the most patient of people.

And when they had resorted to asking the People of the Book about certain matters; and they had been given knowledge from Allah; this caused the command to ask them about that; so He said - addressing them; and everyone who wanted to verify from others -: "So ask"; meaning: O you who deny; and whoever wants; from others; "the People of the Reminder"; meaning: the knowledge of the Book; it was called Reminder because the reminder - which is the opposite of forgetfulness - is like the cause leading to it; so it was applied to it; as if the ignorant is forgetful; even if he is not actually forgetful; and likewise the Reminder - which is the mentioned speech - is a cause for knowledge.

And when they had a sense of that; by hearing the news of the nations before them; He indicated that with His saying (the Most High): "If you are"; meaning: by nature; and disposition; "not knowing"; or it is the repulsion from being content with ignorance.