"Say, 'Be stones or iron, or a creation of that which is great in your breasts'"—when they said, 'When we are bones and crumbled remains'—the verse.

Allah, Exalted is He, said: "Say, 'Be stones or iron, or a creation of that which is great in your breasts'"—meaning: death. He is saying: Even then, I would cause you to die, then resurrect you on the Day of Resurrection. "They will say, 'Who will restore us'" as a new creation? "'Say, He who brought you forth'"—He created you—"'the first time.' Then they will shake their heads at you"—meaning: they will move them in denial and mockery—"'and they will say, When is it?'"—meaning: the Resurrection. "'Say, perhaps it is near.'" And "'perhaps'" (ʿasa) from Allah is binding (wajibah), and everything that is to come is near.