(199–200) “Indeed, among the People of the Book are those who believe in Allah and in what was revealed to you and what was revealed to them, humbly submissive to Allah. They do not sell Allah’s revelations for a paltry price. Their reward is with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in reckoning. O you who believe, be steadfast, outdo others in steadfastness, stand guard, and fear Allah so that you may prosper.”
That is, among the People of the Book is a group whom Allah has enabled to attain goodness. They believe in Allah, in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed to them. This is beneficial faith, unlike the faith of those who believe in some messengers and scriptures but disbelieve in others.
Because their faith was genuine and comprehensive, it benefited them, producing within them fear of Allah and humility before His majesty, which require submission to His commands and prohibitions and observance of His limits.
These are truly the people of scripture and knowledge, as Allah says: “Only those of His servants who possess knowledge truly fear Allah.” Part of the completeness of their fear of Allah is that “they do not sell Allah’s revelations for a paltry price.” Thus, they do not prefer this world over religion, as do the people of deviation who conceal what Allah has revealed and sell it for a paltry price.
These people, however, understood the matter as it truly is. They knew that among the greatest losses is to settle for something inferior at the expense of religion, to pursue some base desire of the lower self, and to abandon the truth—which is the greatest gain and triumph in this world and the Hereafter. They therefore preferred the truth, proclaimed it, called others to it, and warned against falsehood. Allah rewarded them for this by promising them an abundant reward and a beautiful recompense. He informed them that it was near at hand and that He is swift in reckoning. They must therefore not consider Allah’s promise slow in coming, for whatever is certain to come is near.
Allah then urged the believers to pursue what will bring them prosperity—namely triumph, happiness, and success. He explained that the path leading to it requires steadfastness, which means holding oneself to what it dislikes: refraining from sins, patiently enduring calamities, and carrying out commands that weigh heavily upon the soul. He therefore commanded them to remain steadfast through all of these.
Outdoing others in steadfastness means (1) adhering to this steadfastness and maintaining it continually, while resisting enemies under all circumstances.
Standing guard means (2) remaining at the place ⦗163⦘ from which it is feared that the enemy may enter, watching the enemy, and preventing them from achieving their aims—so that the believers may prosper: attaining what they love in matters of religion, this world, and the Hereafter, and likewise being saved from what they hate.
It is thus known that there is no path to prosperity without the steadfastness, perseverance against others, and guarding of the frontiers mentioned above. Whoever has prospered has done so only through them, and whoever has been deprived of prosperity has been deprived only by neglecting all or some of them.
Allah alone grants success, and there is no might or power except through Him.
The commentary on Surah Āl Imrān is complete. All praise belongs to Allah for His favor, and we ask Him to complete His favor.