Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And they swear their strongest oaths by Allâh, that if there came to them a sign, they would surely believe therein. Say: "Signs are but with Allâh and what will make you (Muslims) perceive that (even) if it (the sign) came, they will not believe?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَأَقْسَمُوا۟wa-aqsamūAnd they swear
بِٱللَّهِbil-lahiby Allah
جَهْدَjahdastrongest
أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْaymānihim(of) their oaths
لَئِنla-inthat if
جَآءَتْهُمْjāathumcame to them
ءَايَةٌۭāyatuna sign
لَّيُؤْمِنُنَّlayu'minunnathey would surely believe
بِهَا ۚbihāin it
قُلْqulSay
إِنَّمَاinnamāOnly
ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُl-āyātuthe signs
عِندَʿinda(are) with
ٱللَّهِ ۖl-lahiAllah
وَمَاwamāAnd what
يُشْعِرُكُمْyush'ʿirukumwill make you perceive
أَنَّهَآannahāthat [it]
إِذَاidhāwhen
جَآءَتْjāatit comes
لَاlānot
يُؤْمِنُونَyu'minūnathey will believe
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
For example, if the Safa hill is turned into gold or if those demands are fulfilled which Allah has mentioned from their side in Surah Bani Isra'il (90 to 93). He commanded, 'Say to them that the signs are only with Allah, they are not in my control, and what do you know, even if a new miracle or sign comes, they will not believe.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
19. 1. جَهد ایمانهم, i.e.: They swore oaths with great emphasis.
19. 2. That is, some great miracle according to their wishes, like the staff of Musa عليه السلام, the raising of the dead, or the she-camel of Thamud, etc.
19. 3. Their demand for such supernatural signs is out of stubbornness and obstinacy, not with the intention of seeking guidance. However, the manifestation of these signs is entirely in Allah's control; if He wills, He can fulfill their demand. In some mursal narrations, it is mentioned that the disbelievers demanded that the mountain of Safa be turned into gold, and then they would believe. Upon this, Jibril عليه السلام came and said that if they still did not believe after that, then they would be destroyed, which the Prophet ﷺ did not approve of. (Ibn Kathir)
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
109. They swear by Allah with their strongest oaths that if a miracle were to come to them, they would surely believe in it. Say, "Miracles are only with Allah." And how can you know that even if a miracle came [111], they would not believe?
The Demand of a Miracle by the Disbelievers of Makkah and the Response to This Demand:
The disbelievers of Makkah used to say that if Mount Safa were to become pure gold, then surely they would believe, and some Muslims thought that if their argument were fulfilled, it would be a good thing. This verse takes this background into account. Allah instructed His Prophet to give a clear refusal to these disbelievers and say that showing such a miracle is within Allah’s power; I have no authority in this matter. And He addressed the Muslims, saying: How do you know that if such a miracle were shown to them, these people would definitely believe? These people are so wretched that even if they see any miracle, they will not believe. Therefore, do not expect any good from them in any way.