2. Al-Baqara

And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who fools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous (130)When his Lord said to him, "Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!" He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, Jinn and all that exists). (131)And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya'qub (Jacob)(saying), "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except as Muslims. (132)

Only the Fools deviate from Ibrahim's Religion

Allah refuted the disbelievers' innovations of associating others with Allah in defiance of the religion of Ibrahim, the leader of the upright. Ibrahim always singled out Allah in worship, with sincerity, and he did not call upon others besides Allah. He did not commit Shirk, even for an instant. He disowned every other deity that was being worshipped instead of Allah and defied all his people in this regard. Prophet Ibrahim said,

يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ - إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

(O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners (in worship with Allah). Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism), and I am not of Al-Mushrikin.)(6:78-79). Also, Allah said,

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ إِنَّنِي بَرَاءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ - إِلَّا الَّذِي فَطَرَنِي فَإِنَّهُ سَيَهْدِينِ

(And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship. "Except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allah alone) Who did create me; and verily, He will guide me")(43:26-27),

وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيمٌ

(And Ibrahim's invoking (of Allah) for his father's forgiveness was only because of a promise he (Ibrahim) had made to him (his father). But when it became clear to him (Ibrahim) that he (his father) was an enemy of Allah, he dissociated himself from him. Verily, Ibrahim was Awwah (one who invokes Allah with humility, glorifies Him and remembers Him much) and was forbearing)(9:114), and,

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ - شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَاهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ - وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

(Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (a leader having all the good qualities, or a nation), obedient to Allah, Hanif (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikin. (He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favors. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.)(16:120-122).

This is why Allah said here,

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

(And who turns …

And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who fools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous (130)When his Lord said to him, "Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!" He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, Jinn and all that exists). (131)And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya'qub (Jacob)(saying), "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except as Muslims. (132)

Only the Fools deviate from Ibrahim's Religion

Allah refuted the disbelievers' innovations of associating others with Allah in defiance of the religion of Ibrahim, the leader of the upright. Ibrahim always singled out Allah in worship, with sincerity, and he did not call upon others besides Allah. He did not commit Shirk, even for an instant. He disowned every other deity that was being worshipped instead of Allah and defied all his people in this regard. Prophet Ibrahim said,

يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ - إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

(O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners (in worship with Allah). Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism), and I am not of Al-Mushrikin.)(6:78-79). Also, Allah said,

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ إِنَّنِي بَرَاءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ - إِلَّا الَّذِي فَطَرَنِي فَإِنَّهُ سَيَهْدِينِ

(And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship. "Except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allah alone) Who did create me; and verily, He will guide me")(43:26-27),

وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيمٌ

(And Ibrahim's invoking (of Allah) for his father's forgiveness was only because of a promise he (Ibrahim) had made to him (his father). But when it became clear to him (Ibrahim) that he (his father) was an enemy of Allah, he dissociated himself from him. Verily, Ibrahim was Awwah (one who invokes Allah with humility, glorifies Him and remembers Him much) and was forbearing)(9:114), and,

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ - شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَاهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ - وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

(Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (a leader having all the good qualities, or a nation), obedient to Allah, Hanif (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikin. (He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favors. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.)(16:120-122).

This is why Allah said here,

وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

(And who turns …

Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya'qub (Jacob)? When he said unto his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We shall worship your AIlah (God ـ Allah) the Ilah of your fathers, Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), One Ilah, and to Him we submit (in Islam)) (133)That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn. And you will not be asked of what they used to do (134)

Ya'qub's Will and Testament to His Children upon His Death

This Ayah contains Allah's criticism of the Arab pagans among the offspring of Isma'il as well as the disbelievers among the Children of Israel Jacob the son of Isaac, the son of Ibrahim. When death came to Jacob, he advised his children to worship Allah alone without partners. He said to them,

مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَٰهَكَ وَإِلَٰهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ

("What will you worship after me?" They said, "We shall worship your Ilah (God ـ Allah) the Ilah of your fathers, Ibrahim, Isma'il, Ishaq,")

Mentioning Isma'il here is a figure of speech, because Isma'il is Jacob's uncle. An-Nahas said that the Arabs call the uncle a father, as Al-Qurtubi mentioned).

This Ayah is used as evidence that the grandfather is called a father and inherits, rather than the brothers (i.e. when his son dies), as Abu Bakr asserted, according to Al-Bukhari who narrated Abu Bakr's statement from Ibn 'Abbas and Ibn Az-Zubayr. Al-Bukhari then commented that there are no opposing opinions regarding this subject. This is also the opinion of 'A'ishah the Mother of the believers, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Tawus and 'Ata', Malik, Ash-Shaf'i and Ahmad said that the inheritance is divided between the grandfather and the brothers. It was reported that this was also the opinion of 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, bin Mas'ud, Zayd bin Thabit and several scholars among the Salaf and later generations.

The statement,

إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا

(One Ilah (God)) means, "We single Him out in divinity and do not associate anything or anyone with Him."

وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

(And to Him we submit), in obedience meaning, obedient and submissiveness. Similarly, Allah said,

وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ

(While to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned)(3:83).

Indeed, Islam is the religion of all the Prophets, even if their rei]spective laws differed. Allah said,

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ

(And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad ﷺ)[but We revealed to him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (alone and none else))(21:25).

There are many other Ayat - and Hadiths - on this subject. For instance, the Prophet ﷺ said,

نَحْنُ مَعْشَرَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ أَوْلَادُ عَلَّاتٍ دِينُنا وَاحِدٌ

(We, the Prophets, are brothers with different mothers, but the same religion.)

Allah said,

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ

(That was a nation who has …

And they say, "Be Jews or Christians, then you will be guided." Say (to them O Muhammad ﷺ), "Nay, (we follow) only the religion of Ibrahim, Hanif (Islamic Monotheism), and he was not of Al-Mushrikin (those who worshipped others along with Allah (135)

Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn 'Abbas said that 'Abdullah bin Suriya Al-A'war said to the Messenger of Allah, "The guidance is only what we (Jews) follow. Therefore, follow us, O Muhammad, and you will be rightly guided." Also, the Christians said similarly, so Allah revealed,

وَقَالُوا كُونُوا هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ تَهْتَدُوا

(And they say, "Be Jews or Christians, then you will be guided.") Allah's statement,

قُلْ بَلْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا

(Say (to them O Muhammad ﷺ), "Nay, (we follow) only the religion of Ibrahim, Hanif) means, "We do not need the Judaism or Christianity that you call us to, rather,

مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا

((we follow) only the religion of Ibrahim, Hanif) meaning, on the straight path, as Muhammad bin Ka'b Al-Qurazi and 'Isa bin Jariyah stated. Also, Abu Qilabah said, "The Hanif is what the Messengers, from beginning to end, believed in.")

Say (O Muslims): "We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat (the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qub), and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and 'Isa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam). (136)

The Muslim believes in all that Allah revealed and all the Prophets

Allah directed His believing servants to believe in what He sent down to them through His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ and in what was revealed to the previous Prophets in general. Some Prophets Allah mentioned by name, while He did not mention the names of many others. Allah directed the believers to refrain from differentiating between the Prophets and to believe in them all. They should avoid imitating whomever Allah described as,

وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَ اللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا - أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ حَقًّا

(And wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers (by believing in Allah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, "We believe in some but reject others," and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth disbelievers)(4:150-151).

Al-Bukhari narrated that Abu Hurayrah said, "The People of the Book used to read the Torah in Hebrew and translate it into Arabic for the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

لَا تُصَدِّقُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ وَلَا تُكَذِّبُوهُمْ وقُولُوا: آمَنَّا بِاللهِ وَمَا أُنْزل إِلَيْنَا

(Do not believe the People of the Book, nor reject what they say. Rather, say, 'We believe in Allah and in what was sent down to us.)"

Also, Muslim, Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Mostly, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite,

آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا

(We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us)(2: 136), and,

آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

(We believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah))(3:52) during the two (voluntary) Rak'at before Fajr."

Abu Al-'Aliyah, Ar-Rabi' and Qatadah said, "Al-Asbat are the twelve sons of Jacob, and each one of them had an Ummah of people from his descendants. This is why they were called Al-Asbat." Al-Khalil bin Ahmad and others said, "Al-Asbat among the Children of Israel are just like the tribes among the Children of Isma'il." This means that the Asbat are the various tribes of the Children of Israel, among whom Allah sent several Prophets. Moses said to the Children of Israel,

اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنبِيَاءَ وَجَعَلَكُم مُّلُوكًا

(Remember the favor of Allah to you: when He made Prophets among you, made you kings)(5:20). Also, Allah said,

وَقَطَّعْنَاهُمُ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أَسْبَاطًا

(And We divided them into twelve tribes)(7:160).

Al-Qurtubi said, "Sibt is the group of people or a tribe all belonging to the same ancestors."

Qatadah said, "Allah commanded the believers to believe in …

So if they believe in the like of that which you believe then they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice for you against them. And He is the Hearer, the Knower (137)[Our Sibghah (religion) is] the Sibghah of Allah (Islam) and which Sibghah can be better than Allah's? And we are His worshippers (138)

Allah said, if they, the disbelievers among the People of the Book and other disbelievers, believe in all of Allah's Books and Messengers and do not differentiate between any of them,

فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا

(then they are rightly guided) meaning, they would acquire the truth and be directed to it.

وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا

(but if they turn away) from truth to falsehood after proof had been presented to them,

فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ

(then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice you against them) meaning, Allah will aid the believers against them,

وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

(And He is the Hearer, the Knower). Allah said,

صِبْغَةَ اللَّهِ

(The Sibghah of Allah). Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn 'Abbas commented, "The religion of Allah." This Tafsir was also reported of Mujahid, Abu Al-'Aliyah, 'Ikrimah, Ibrahim, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, 'Abdullah bin Kathir, 'Atiyah Al-'Awfi, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas, As-Suddi and other scholars. The Ayah,

فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ

(Allah's Fitrah (i.e. Allah's Islamic Monotheism))(30:30) directs Muslims to, "Hold to it."

So if they believe in the like of that which you believe then they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice for you against them. And He is the Hearer, the Knower (137)[Our Sibghah (religion) is] the Sibghah of Allah (Islam) and which Sibghah can be better than Allah's? And we are His worshippers (138)

Allah said, if they, the disbelievers among the People of the Book and other disbelievers, believe in all of Allah's Books and Messengers and do not differentiate between any of them,

فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا

(then they are rightly guided) meaning, they would acquire the truth and be directed to it.

وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا

(but if they turn away) from truth to falsehood after proof had been presented to them,

فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ

(then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice you against them) meaning, Allah will aid the believers against them,

وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

(And He is the Hearer, the Knower). Allah said,

صِبْغَةَ اللَّهِ

(The Sibghah of Allah). Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn 'Abbas commented, "The religion of Allah." This Tafsir was also reported of Mujahid, Abu Al-'Aliyah, 'Ikrimah, Ibrahim, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, 'Abdullah bin Kathir, 'Atiyah Al-'Awfi, Ar-Rabi' bin Anas, As-Suddi and other scholars. The Ayah,

فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ

(Allah's Fitrah (i.e. Allah's Islamic Monotheism))(30:30) directs Muslims to, "Hold to it."

Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to the Jews and Christians), "Dispute you with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. And we are sincere to Him (i.e. we worship Him alone and none else, and we obey His orders). (139)Or say you that Ibrahim, Isma'il, Ishaq, Ya'qub and Al-Asbat, were Jews or Christians? Say, "Do you know better or does Allah? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony he has from Allah? And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (140)That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned, and you of what you earn. And you will not be asked of what they used to do (141)

Allah directed His Prophet ﷺ to pre-empt the arguments with the idolators:

قُلْ أَتُحَاجُّونَنَا فِي اللَّهِ

(Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to the Jews and Christians), "Dispute you with us about Allah) meaning, "Do you dispute with us regarding the Oneness of Allah, obedience and submission to Him and in avoiding His prohibitions,

وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ

(while He is our Lord and your Lord?) meaning, He has full control over us and you, and deserves the worship alone without partners.

وَلَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ

(And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds.) meaning, we disown you and what you worship, just as you disown us. Allah said in another Ayah,

وَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل لِّي عَمَلِي وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ ۖ أَنتُم بَرِيئُونَ مِمَّا أَعْمَلُ وَأَنَا بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

(And if they belie you, say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do!")(10:41), and,

فَإِنْ حَاجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ

(So if they dispute with you (Muhammad ﷺ) say: "I have submitted myself to Allah (in Islam), and (so have) those who follow me")(3:20). Allah said about Ibrahim,

وَحَاجَّهُ قَوْمُهُ قَالَ أَتُحَاجُّونِّي فِي اللَّهِ

(His people disputed with him. He said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allah")(6:80), and,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَاجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رَبِّهِ

(Have you not looked at him who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord (Allah)?)(2:258). He said in this honorable Ayah,

وَلَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُخْلِصُونَ

(And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. And we are sincere to Him.) meaning, "We disown you just as you disown us,"

وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُخْلِصُونَ

(And we are sincere to Him), in worship and submission.

Allah then criticized them in the claim that Ibrahim, the Prophets who came after him and the Asbat were following their religion, whether Judaism or Christianity. Allah said,

قُلْ أَأَنتُمْ أَعْلَمُ أَمِ اللَّهُ

(Say, "Do you know better or does Allah?") meaning, Allah has the best knowledge and He stated that they were neither Jews, nor Christians. Similarly, Allah said in the Ayah,

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

(Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifa (to worship none but Allah alone) and he was not of …

Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to the Jews and Christians), "Dispute you with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. And we are sincere to Him (i.e. we worship Him alone and none else, and we obey His orders). (139)Or say you that Ibrahim, Isma'il, Ishaq, Ya'qub and Al-Asbat, were Jews or Christians? Say, "Do you know better or does Allah? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony he has from Allah? And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (140)That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned, and you of what you earn. And you will not be asked of what they used to do (141)

Allah directed His Prophet ﷺ to pre-empt the arguments with the idolators:

قُلْ أَتُحَاجُّونَنَا فِي اللَّهِ

(Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to the Jews and Christians), "Dispute you with us about Allah) meaning, "Do you dispute with us regarding the Oneness of Allah, obedience and submission to Him and in avoiding His prohibitions,

وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ

(while He is our Lord and your Lord?) meaning, He has full control over us and you, and deserves the worship alone without partners.

وَلَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ

(And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds.) meaning, we disown you and what you worship, just as you disown us. Allah said in another Ayah,

وَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل لِّي عَمَلِي وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ ۖ أَنتُم بَرِيئُونَ مِمَّا أَعْمَلُ وَأَنَا بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

(And if they belie you, say: "For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do!")(10:41), and,

فَإِنْ حَاجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ

(So if they dispute with you (Muhammad ﷺ) say: "I have submitted myself to Allah (in Islam), and (so have) those who follow me")(3:20). Allah said about Ibrahim,

وَحَاجَّهُ قَوْمُهُ قَالَ أَتُحَاجُّونِّي فِي اللَّهِ

(His people disputed with him. He said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allah")(6:80), and,

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَاجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رَبِّهِ

(Have you not looked at him who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord (Allah)?)(2:258). He said in this honorable Ayah,

وَلَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُخْلِصُونَ

(And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. And we are sincere to Him.) meaning, "We disown you just as you disown us,"

وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُخْلِصُونَ

(And we are sincere to Him), in worship and submission.

Allah then criticized them in the claim that Ibrahim, the Prophets who came after him and the Asbat were following their religion, whether Judaism or Christianity. Allah said,

قُلْ أَأَنتُمْ أَعْلَمُ أَمِ اللَّهُ

(Say, "Do you know better or does Allah?") meaning, Allah has the best knowledge and He stated that they were neither Jews, nor Christians. Similarly, Allah said in the Ayah,

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

(Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifa (to worship none but Allah alone) and he was not of …