to forgive you your sins, if you believe. "And delay you to a specified term"—meaning: until their appointed times of death without punishment; thus, their death will not be through torment.

"They said, 'You are not but men like us'"—meaning: to whom revelation is not sent.

"Then bring us a clear authority"—meaning: with a manifest proof. "But Allah confers favor upon whom He wills of His servants"—through prophethood, by revealing to them.