(99–100) “Had your Lord willed, everyone on earth—all of them together—would have believed. Will you, then, compel people until they become believers? * No soul can believe except by Allah’s permission, and He places defilement upon those who do not reason.”

Allah Most High says to His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): “Had your Lord willed, everyone on earth—all of them together—would have believed,” for He could have inspired them with faith and inclined their hearts toward piety. He is fully capable of doing so, but His wisdom dictated that some of them be believers and others disbelievers.

“Will you, then, compel people until they become believers?” That is, you have no power to do so; it is beyond your ability, nor does anyone besides Allah (1) have any power [over] (2) such a thing.

“No soul can believe except by Allah’s permission”—that is, by His will and volition, and by His permission in both the creational and religious senses. Whoever among creation is receptive to this will have faith flourish within him, and Allah will grant him success and guide him.