—that is, from the Torah and the Gospel, such as the description of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, the verse concerning stoning, and other matters. “And overlooking much” means: He overlooks much of what you have concealed, neither exposing it nor calling you to account for it. “There has come to you from Allah a light”: this means Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him; it was also said that it means Islam. “And a clear Book” means: a manifest Book. It was also said that it means a Book that makes things clear, namely, the Quran.

“By which Allah guides those who seek His pleasure”—that is, His good pleasure—“to the ways of peace.” It was said that al-Salam is Allah, exalted is He, and that the way to Him is His religion, which He legislated for His servants and with which He sent His messengers. It was also said that peace here means safety, just as ladhādh and ladhādhah have one and the same meaning; what is intended, then, is the paths of safety. “And brings them out of darkness into light”: that is, from the darknesses of unbelief to the light of faith, “by His permission”—through His enabling grace and guidance—“and guides them to a straight path.” ⦗104/A⦘ That is, Islam.

His words, exalted is He: “Those who say, ‘Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary,’ have certainly disbelieved.” They are the Jacobites among the Christians, who say that the Messiah is Allah, exalted is He. “Say: ‘Who could prevent Allah in any way?’” That is, who has the power to avert anything of Allah’s decree once He has decreed it? “If He willed to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, his mother, and everyone on earth altogether? To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. He creates whatever He wills, and Allah is Powerful over all things.”