He commanded us in the Torah and advised us not to believe in a messenger until he brings us this specific sign. It is that he shows us a sacrifice from which fire descends from the sky and consumes it, as was the sign of the prophets of the Children of Israel. They would present a sacrifice, and the prophet would pray, then fire would descend from the sky and consume it. This is a false claim and a slander against Allah, because the fire consuming the sacrifice does not necessitate belief in the messenger bringing it, except for the fact that it is a sign and a miracle. Therefore, it is the same as other signs, and Allah, glorified and exalted is He, should not single it out from among the signs. Allah has made it obligatory upon them that their prophets came to them with many clear signs that necessitated their belief. They also brought them this sign that they proposed. So why did they kill them if they were truthful that belief was required upon them upon its coming? It has been recited (بِقُرْبانٍ) with two dashes. Its equivalent is the sultan. If you say: What is the meaning of His saying وَبِالَّذِي قُلْتُمْ? I say: Its meaning is, and by the meaning of what you said in your words: a sacrifice that fire consumes. Its implication is like His saying: (ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِما قالُوا) meaning to the meaning of what they said. In the manuscripts of the people of the Levant: and by the scriptures, which are the scrolls, and the illuminating book, the Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms. This is a consolation for the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, from the denial of his people and the denial of the Jews.