فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ ﴿۸۳﴾ فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا كُنَّا بِهِ مُشْرِكِينَ ﴿۸۴﴾ فَلَمْ يَكُ يَنْفَعُهُمْ إِيمَانُهُمْ لَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا سُنَّتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي قَدْ خَلَتْ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْكَافِرُونَ ﴿۸۵﴾

﴾83﴿ Falammaa jaaa'at hum Rusuluhum bilbaiyinaati farihoo bimaa 'indahum minal 'ilmi wa haaqa bihim maa kaanoo bihee yastahzi'oon
﴾84﴿ Falammaa ra aw baasanaa qaalooo aamannaa billaahi wahdahoo wa kafarnaa bimaa kunnaa bihee mushrikeen
﴾85﴿ Falam yaku yanfa 'uhum eemaanuhum lammaa ra-aw ba'sana sunnatal laahil latee qad khalat fee 'ibaadihee wa khasira

﴾83﴿ Then, when their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they arrogantly rejected what they had of knowledge, and they were encompassed by that which they used to ridicule
﴾84﴿ But when they saw Our punishment, they said, "We believe in Allah alone and reject what we used to associate with Him as partners
﴾85﴿ But their faith did not benefit them when they saw Our punishment, following the way of Allah that has passed among His servants. And at that moment, the disbelievers were in clear loss.

[83] In this verse, the reason for punishment is mentioned, which is the denial of the prophets. (فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ) – This pronoun refers to the disbelievers, and the intended meaning of "knowledge" here is worldly sciences, such as philosophy, mathematics, science, medicine, etc. For example, it has been narrated that when someone told the philosopher Hippocrates or Socrates to go to Musa (peace be upon him), they replied, "We are a refined nation; we do not need anyone for refinement and guidance." Similarly, the philosopher Galen said to ‘Isa (peace be upon him), "You have not been sent for us; we know better than you." Alternatively, the meaning of "knowledge" here may refer to their doubtful, polytheistic, or innovative beliefs, which they considered to be knowledge—such as their arguments based on following their forefathers, or their claim, “If Allah had willed, we would not have committed shirk,” or their objection, “Who will give life to the bones when they are decayed?” and the like. This verse is proof that if someone is presented with the Qur'an and authentic Hadith, but they bring forward other books or arguments in opposition, or stubbornly cling to their imitation (taqlid), then such a person is following the path of the former followers of falsehood.
[84] When the disbelievers realized, at the time of punishment, that nothing else could benefit them and even their gods could not save them, they then believed in Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah)—just as Pharaoh had done at that time.
[85] This compelled and forced belief at the time of distress is not accepted.