183. " those who said: ` verily allah has covenanted with us not to believe in any messenger until he brings us an offering which fire (from heaven) will consume '. say: ` indeed messengers came unto you before me (all) with miracles, and with that (very miracle) which you spoke of; why then did you kill them, if you are so truthful ? ' " commentary: to fly from accepting islam, some disbelievers sought a pretext and said that allah had covenanted with them that they would believe in only a prophet who brought them an animal to offer, and a lightning from heaven would burn that victim in front of the eyes of people. it was then that they might be assure of his prophethood. this verse was revealed in order that the prophet (p.b.u.h.) would tell those pertinacious seekers of pretext that: if they were right, why did they not believe in the prophets before the prophet of islam ? those prophets, in addition to different kinds of miracles, also brought them what they said, i.e. bringing an offering. explanations: 1. the history of all groups and nations, as well as their background, is the best reference to their claims. "... say: `indeed messengers came unto you before me (all) with miracles, and with that (very miracle) which you spoke of, ..." 2. do not justify your escaping from truth by religious subjects. " those who said: ` verily allah has covenanted with us. ..." the subject of offering a ram is mentioned in the torah, leviticus, chapter 9, no. 2, such: " and he said unto aaron, take thee a young culf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the lord." 3. the opponents' seeking pretext, throughout the history of human beings, are alike. "... and with that (very miracle) which you spoke of. ..." 4. as soon as a person pertains with the spirit of arrogance, the one neither avoids denigrating allah "... verily allah has covenanted with us...", nor submits to any prophet: "... not to believe in any messenger...". such a person also expects that miracles adopt to his wishes and desires.