What is the meaning of Allah's saying (Have you not seen?) in many Quranic verses?

The verses in which Allah addressed the Prophet, peace be upon him, with the phrase (Have you not seen/ألم تر) are numerous. Scholars have differed regarding the meaning of this phrase:

- Al-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi said: It refers to an inner vision, meaning "Did you not know, O Muhammad?", because the Prophet did not perceive those mentioned in the verses.

- Al-Shawkani said: The vision here means apprehension, encompassing the meaning of alerting, or meaning "Has your knowledge not reached them?", or "Has your knowledge not come to them?". It is also permissible for it to be a visual رؤية bصرية, meaning "Did you not look?".