Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And they say: "When will this promise (come to pass), if you are truthful."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَيَقُولُونَwayaqūlūnaAnd they say
مَتَىٰmatāWhen (will be fulfilled)
هَـٰذَاhādhāthis
ٱلْوَعْدُl-waʿdupromise
إِنinif
كُنتُمْkuntumyou are
صَـٰدِقِينَṣādiqīnatruthful
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.
(Ayah 38){وَيَقُوْلُوْنَمَتٰىهٰذَاالْوَعْدُ …:} This is the detail of their hastening for the punishment. The disbelievers would repeatedly ask, in order to deny the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and to mock him and the Muslims, when the promise of punishment would be fulfilled. Along with denial, to provoke and incite, they would sarcastically say, "If you are truthful." {’’ كُنْتُمْ ‘‘} expresses perpetuity, and {’’صٰدِقِيْنَ ‘‘} the active participle also expresses the permanence of truth, meaning you who always speak the truth, your very attribute is that of being truthful, so when will the punishment you promised be fulfilled? (Biqā‘ī)