Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 3729 — Surah al-Dhariyat

It is narrated from Abu al-Ala bin al-Shikhkhir (may Allah have mercy on him) that when this noble statement of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, was revealed: "So by the Lord of the heaven and the earth, this (promise of provision) is indeed true, just as your speaking (is a reality)" [Surah al-Dhariyat: 23], some men came out with sticks in their hands (with intense zeal and indignation), calling out: "Where are those who put our Lord to such trouble that He had to swear an oath (to convince people)?"
Imam Ahmad bin Mani' recorded this report; its chain contains a narrator named Mas'adah bin al-Yasa', who is weak; however, the purpose of this statement is to censure, and express regret over, those people whose lack of conviction led Allah Almighty to swear an oath to emphasise His word.