He was distressed by the disbelief of his people and their turning away from what he brought. So it was revealed: "Perhaps you will kill yourself with grief because of them, if they do not believe in this message. Indeed, you do not guide whom you love. And if their turning away is difficult for you, then if you can seek a tunnel in the earth or a ladder to the sky, and bring them a sign, then do so." This means that you cannot do that. The intent is to show his eagerness for the Islam of his people and his desperation for it. If he could bring them a sign from beneath the earth or from above the sky, he would do so in hopes of their faith. It was said that they were proposing signs, and he was eager for them to be answered due to his intense desire for their belief. So he was told: If you can do that, then do it, indicating that his eagerness had reached such a level that if he could do that, he would do it to bring them the signs they proposed, hoping they would believe. It is also possible that seeking a tunnel in the earth or a ladder in the sky refers to bringing the signs, as if it were said: If you could penetrate to what is beneath the earth or ascend to the sky, you would do so, hoping that might be a sign for them to believe.

And the answer to "that" has been omitted, as you say: If you wish for us to go to so-and-so to visit him. And if Allah had willed, He would have gathered them all on guidance by bringing them a compelling sign. However, He does not do so because it goes against wisdom. So do not be among the ignorant, those who are unaware of that and seek what is contrary to it.

Mahrud said: "By bringing them a compelling sign, but He does not do so because it goes against wisdom. So do not be among the ignorant, those who are unaware of that and seek what is contrary to it." Ahmad said: And this verse also serves as a response to the Qadarites in their claim that Allah, the Exalted, wished to gather all people on guidance but did not. Do you not see that the sentence begins with 'if,' and its implication is the impossibility of its answer due to the impossibility of what follows? Thus, the impossibility of their gathering on guidance is due to the impossibility of the will. Therefore, you see that Al-Zamakhshari interprets the will as compelling them to guidance with a compelling sign, where faith would not be a choice. Thus, he concludes that this aspect of the will did not occur, and that the will for their gathering on guidance, based on their choice, is established and not impossible, but its related occurrence did not happen. This is one of its hidden aspects, so beware of it. And Allah is the Grantor of success.

Indeed, only those who listen will respond. This means that those you strive to have believe are like the dead who do not hear. Only those who hear will respond, as in His saying: "Indeed, you cannot make the dead hear." And the dead are those whom Allah will resurrect. This is an example of His ability to compel them to respond, for He is the One who resurrects the dead from their graves on the Day of Judgment, then to Him they will be returned for recompense. Thus, He is capable of reviving these dead in disbelief with faith. And you cannot do that. It was said that this means: And these dead—meaning the disbelievers—will be resurrected by Allah. Then to Him they will return, and at that time they will hear. But before that, there is no way for them to listen.