His saying: “There is no altering Allah’s creation.” Those who interpret the fitrah as religion say that it means: There is no altering Allah’s religion. This is a statement intended as a prohibition; that is, do not alter Allah’s religion. Mujahid and Ibrahim said: The meaning of the verse is: Adhere to Allah’s fitrah—that is, Allah’s religion—follow it, and do not exchange monotheism for polytheism. (1) “That is the upright religion,” the straight religion, “but most people do not know.”

It was also said that “There is no altering Allah’s creation” means that what man has been created upon, whether felicity or wretchedness, does not change: thus, the felicitous person does not become wretched, nor does the wretched person become felicitous. Ikrimah and Mujahid said: Its meaning is the prohibition of castrating livestock. (2)

“Turning to Him in repentance; fear Him, establish the prayer, and do not be among the polytheists—among those who have divided their religion and become sects, each faction rejoicing in what it has.”