Yunus (Jonas)

48. “They say: ‘When will this promise be, if you are truthful?’”

The idolaters, ridiculing the prophets (as), used to ask them that if they were right, when the time would come for Allah’s punishment. This humiliating way of asking questions was a sort of reinforcement for those individuals who might be affected by them. However, in order to realize that an action will occur, should one necessarily know its timing.

The verse says:

“They say: ‘When will this promise be, if you are truthful?’”