'And they denied them, although their souls were certain thereof,' that it is from Allah. Qatadah said: Denial occurs only after knowledge. 'Out of injustice' to themselves, 'and arrogance.'
Muhammad said: Meaning: out of conceit, so as not to believe in what Moses brought.
﴿وجحدوا بهَا واستيقنتها أنفسهم﴾ أَنَّهَا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَتَادَةُ: وَالْجَحْدُ لَا يَكُونُ إِلَّا من بعد الْمعرفَة ﴿ظلما﴾ لأَنْفُسِهِمْ ﴿وعلوا﴾.
قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ: يَعْنِي: تَرَفُّعًا عَنْ أَنْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَى.
