فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا
Translation: The response of his people was nothing other than that they said.
At the start of Qurʾān 27:56, an qālū means “their saying.” The preceding mā is negative; the infinitival particle in this example is an.
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Source Qurʾānic Example with Past An
Infinitival Particles: Mā, An and Anna
فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا
Translation: The response of his people was nothing other than that they said.
At the start of Qurʾān 27:56, an qālū means “their saying.” The preceding mā is negative; the infinitival particle in this example is an.