Regarding the words of the Exalted, "And if you were to bring to those who were given the Scripture every sign, they would not follow your Qibla." Muhammad said: Meaning the signs which the prophets brought, such as the she-camel, the staff, and other things. The People of the Scripture already know that what the Prophet ﷺ brought is the truth, and that his description is [present] in their books, yet they deny the knowledge of that. Thus, the signs are of no avail to one who denies what he knows. "And if you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, indeed, you would then be among the wrongdoers." This address is to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and to the rest of his community.
قَوْله تَعَالَى: ﴿وَلَئِنْ أَتَيْتَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ بِكُلِّ آيَةٍ مَا تبعوا قبلتك﴾ قَالَ مُحَمَّد: يَعْنِي [الْآيَات الَّتي أَتَى] الْأَنْبِيَاء؛ مثل النَّاقة والعصا [وَغير ذَلِكَ؛ إِن أهل الْكتاب قد علمُوا أَن مَا أَتَى بِهِ النَّبِي] (ل ٢١) ﷺ حق [وَأَن صفته الَّتي جَاءَ بِهَا فِي كتبهمْ وهم] يجحدون الْعِلْم بذلك؛ فَلَا تغني الْآيَات عِنْد من يجْحَد مَا يعرف. ﴿وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّكَ إِذًا لمن الظَّالِمين﴾ هَذَا الْخطاب للنَّبِي عليه السلام ولسائر أمته. [آيَة ١٤٦ - ١٤٨]
