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alladhīna qālū ʾinna llāha ʿahida ʾilaynā ʾallā nuʾmina li-rasūlin ḥattā yaʾtiyanā bi-qurbānin taʾkuluhu n-nāru qul qad jāʾakum rusulun min qablī bi-l-bayyināti wa-bi-lladhī qultum fa-li-ma qataltumūhum ʾin kuntum ṣādiqīna
Tell those who say, ‘Allah has pledged us not to believe in any apostle unless he brings us an offering consumed by fire,’ ‘Apostles before me certainly did bring you manifest signs and what you speak of. Then why did you kill them, if you are truthful?’
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah 'Ali-Imran, Verse 183
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?'"
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 prophet hood. This verse was revealed in order that the Prophet (S) 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.
2. Do not justify your escaping from Truth by religious subjects-
The subject of offering a ram is mentioned in the Torah, Leviticus, Chapter 9, No.2, such:
3. The opponents' seeking pretext, throughout the history of human beings, is alike.
4. As soon as a person pertains with the spirit of arrogance, the one neither avoids denigrating Allah
nor submits to any prophet:
Such a person also expects that miracles adapt to his wishes and desires.