Christians often attempt to (mis)quote the Quran against Muslims where Allah says:
﴾And We sent not before you except men to whom We inspired [past prophets]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know.﴿ [Surat an-Nahl, 16:43]
The Quran is the final revelation from Allah and as such guaranteed by Him to be perfectly preserved. One aspect of this preservation is that not only has the Quran been perfectly preserved in not being changed a single word since it’s revelation and memorized by millions throughout ever generation; but the complete life of the Prophet ﷺ (the Seerah) and his teachings (the Sunnah) has been preserved via his Companions. This means that we know when each verse was revealed as well as the intent, purpose, application, target, situation, etc. behind any verse of Allah’s revelation.
From this complete preservation and having a perfect human example of implementation as well as a model society at the time the final revelation with complete guidance for all mankind is perfected. As Allah revealed months before the Prophet ﷺ died:
﴾..This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion..﴿ [Surat al-Maidah, 5:3]
And from this glaring perfection that makes the truth obvious
﴾There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.﴿ [Surat al-Baqarah, 2:256]
And from that only Islam can be accepted from us if we wish for salvation and eternal life in Paradise as Allah says:
﴾And whoever desires other than Islam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.﴿ [Surat Ali Imran, 3:85]
So as mentioned that the Quran is perfectly preserved we know the full details of the above verses in question as Muhammad’s ﷺ companion, Ibn Abbas explains, “When Allah sent Muhammad as a Messenger, the Arabs, or some of them, denied him and said, ‘Allah is too great to send a human being as a Messenger.’ Then Allah revealed:
﴾Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you?..﴿ [Surat al-Araf, 7:69]
And also (concerning the Arabs denial) Allah revealed:
﴾And We sent not before you except men to whom We inspired [past prophets]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know.﴿ [Surat an-Nahl, 16:43]
Meaning, (ask) the people of the previous (revealed) Books, were the Messengers that were sent to them humans or angels If they were angels, then you have the right to find this strange, but if they were human, then you have no grounds to deny that Muhammad is a Messenger. Allah says:
﴾And We sent not before you (as Messengers) any but men to whom We revealed, from among the people of townships.﴿ [Surat Yusuf, 12:109]
And not from among the people of heaven (angels) as you say.” via Mujahid in Tafsir ibn Kathir for Surat an-Nahl
