the Quran and the ordinances of Islam; and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. They differed regarding the meaning of the verse. Qatadah said: it refers to declaring what is lawful to be lawful and what is unlawful to be unlawful. Al-Hakam said: the prohibition of mothers, daughters, and sisters.

Mujahid said: Allah did not send any prophet without charging him to establish the prayer, give zakah, and affirm obedience to Allah. That is the religion He prescribed for them.

It was also said: it is tawhid (affirming Allah’s absolute oneness) and disavowal of polytheism. (1) Another view is that it is what He mentions afterward, namely His saying: “Establish the religion and do not be divided concerning it.” Allah sent all the prophets with the command to establish the religion, maintain harmony and unity, and abandon division and dissent.

“What you call them to is grievous to the polytheists”—namely, tawhid and the rejection of idols. Then He says: “Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills”: He selects from among His servants whomever He wills. “And He guides to Himself whoever turns to Him”: that is, whoever turns toward obedience to Him.

“They did not become divided until after knowledge came to them, out of mutual transgression. Had it not been for a decree from your Lord, already determined for an appointed time, judgment would have been passed between them. Indeed, those who inherited the Scripture after them are in troubling doubt about it. (14) So to that invite, and remain steadfast as you have been commanded. Do not follow their desires, but say, ‘I believe in whatever Book Allah has sent down. I have been commanded to judge fairly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. We have our deeds, and you have your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the final return.’ (15)”

“They did not become divided” refers to the adherents of the various religions. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: it refers to the People of the Book, as He mentioned in the surah of Those Who Broke Away. “Until after knowledge came to them”—the knowledge that division is misguidance—yet they did so nevertheless, “out of transgression among themselves”; that is, because of transgression. Ata said: it means hostility among themselves toward Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. “Had it not been for a decree from your Lord”—concerning the postponement of their punishment—“until an appointed time,” namely the Day of Resurrection, “judgment would have been passed between them,” between those who believed and those who disbelieved; that is, He would have sent down punishment upon the deniers in this world. “Indeed, those who inherited the Scripture” ⦗115a⦘ refers to the Jews and Christians, “after them,” that is, after their prophets. It was also said: after the former nations. Qatadah said: its meaning is, before them—that is, before the polytheists of Mecca. “Are in troubling doubt about it,” that is, about Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

“So to that invite”: that is, invite to it, just as one may say, “I called to so-and-so” or “I called for so-and-so.” This points to the tawhid with which He charged the prophets. “And remain steadfast as you have been commanded”: remain firm upon the religion which you have been commanded to follow,