"Those unto whom the
knowledge of Divine
Revelation hath been given
anterior to it; i.e. the
learned who read the preceding
Scriptures, and recognize the
reality of (Mahomet's)
inspiration, and the signs of
prophecy,"
Jelalooddeen.
Mahomet is here directed by
God to tell the unbelieving
Meccans "that they might
believe or not as they
pleased;those who were better
able to judge, because they had
the previous Divine Revelations
in their hands,they
believed in the Corân, and
rejoiced in its tidings as a
confirmation of their own
Scriptures."
This accords with the notices
in previous passages (see Arts.
VII., XIII., &c.) regarding
the recognition of the Corân
and the doctrines of Islâm, by
certain of the people of the
Book, from their correspondence
with the contents of their
Scriptures.