“Say, ‘We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes; and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.’ (84)

Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers. (85)

How could Allah guide a people who disbelieved after having faith, after bearing witness that the Messenger is true, and after clear proofs had come to them? Allah does not guide wrongdoing people. (86)

Their recompense is that upon them shall be the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people, (87) abiding therein forever. The punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved, (88) except those who repent thereafter and reform themselves; for Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (89)

Indeed, those who disbelieve after having faith and then increase in disbelief—their repentance will never be accepted, and they are the ones who have gone astray.” (90)

Regarding His words, exalted is He: “Do they seek a religion other than Allah’s?” This was because the People of the Book disagreed: each of them claimed to follow the religion of Abraham, and they brought their dispute before the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Neither of the two groups has anything to do with the religion of Abraham.” They became angry and said, “We do not accept your judgment, nor will we follow your religion.” Thereupon Allah, exalted is He, revealed: “Do they seek a religion other than Allah’s?” (1)

Abu Ja‘far, the people of Basra, and Hafs from Asim recited “they seek” in the third person, on account of His words, “and those are the defiantly disobedient.” The others recited it in the second person, on account of His words, “when I gave you.”

“And to Him submits”: that is, yields and obeys. “Whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly”: willing submission is yielding and following with ease, whereas unwilling submission is that which occurs with hardship and inward reluctance.

They differed concerning His words, “willingly or unwillingly.” Al-Hasan said: “The inhabitants of the heavens submitted willingly, while among those on earth some submitted willingly and some unwillingly, out of fear of the sword and captivity.” Mujahid said: “Willingly refers to the believer, and unwillingly to the disbeliever,” as evidenced by: “To Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, as do their shadows, morning and evening.” (al-Ra‘d 15)

It was also said that this occurred on the Day of the Covenant, when He said to them, “Am I not your Lord?” They replied, “Yes.” (al-A‘raf 172) Thus, some of them said so willingly and others unwillingly.

Qatadah said: “The believer submitted willingly, and it benefited him; whereas the disbeliever submitted unwillingly at the time of distress, and it did not benefit him.” Allah, exalted is He, said: “Their faith did not benefit them when they saw Our might.” (Ghafir 85)

Al-Sha‘bi said: It refers to their seeking refuge in Him when compelled by necessity, as Allah, exalted is He, said: “When they board a ship, they call upon Allah, sincerely devoting their religion to Him.” (al-Ankabut 65)

Al-Kalbi said: “Willingly” refers to one who was born (2) into Islam, while “unwillingly” refers to those who were forced into Islam—among those taken captive and brought in chains.

“And to Him they will be returned”: Hafs from Asim and Yaqub recited it in the third person, just as they recited “they seek” in the third person. The rest recited both in the second person, except Abu Amr, who recited “they seek” in the third person and “you will be returned” in the second person. He said: “The first is particular, while the second is general, since all creation will return to Allah, exalted is He.”

Regarding His words, exalted is He: “Say, ‘We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes; and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.’”