(120) “The Jews ⦗65⦘ and Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their religion. Say, ‘Indeed, Allah’s guidance is the only true guidance.’ If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would have neither protector nor helper against Allah.”

Allah Most High informs His Messenger that neither the Jews nor the Christians will be pleased with him unless he follows their religion, for they call others to the religion they themselves follow and claim that it is true guidance. So say to them: “Indeed, Allah’s guidance”—with which I have been sent—“is the only true guidance.”

As for what you follow, it is mere desire, as evidenced by His words: “If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would have neither protector nor helper against Allah.”

This contains a stern prohibition against following the desires of the Jews and Christians and imitating them in matters distinctive to their religion. Although these words are addressed to the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—his nation is included in their scope, for consideration is given to the generality of the meaning, not merely to the particular addressee, just as consideration is given to the generality of the wording, not merely to the specific occasion that prompted it.