Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:53

{And tell My servants to say...}

Tell the believers to say to the polytheists the word that is "best" and gentlest, and not to be harsh with them, as in His saying: "And argue with them in a way that is best."

He explained "that which is best" by saying: {Your Lord is most knowing of you. If He wills, He will have mercy upon you, or if He wills, He will punish you.}

Meaning: Let them say this to them and the like, and let them not say: "You are people of the Fire," or "You will be punished," or anything similar that would enrage them and incite them to evil.

{Indeed, Satan induces [discord] between them} is a parenthetical clause. It means he casts corruption between them and incites them against one another so that contention and hostility occur between them.

{And We have not sent you over them as a manager}—that is, a guardian entrusted with their affairs, to force them into Islam or compel them to it. You were only sent as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner. Therefore, treat them with diplomacy, and command your companions to be diplomatic, patient, and to refrain from disputation and confrontation. This was before the revelation of the Verse of the Sword.

It is said: It was revealed regarding Umar (may Allah be pleased with him); a man insulted him, so Allah commanded him to pardon.

It is said: The polytheists’ abuse of the Muslims became excessive, so they complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and this was revealed.

It is said: "The word that is best" is for them to say: "May Allah guide you," or "May Allah have mercy on you."

Talha read yanzigh (with a kasra on the za); both are dialects, like ya‘rishun and ya‘rishun.

{And your Lord is most knowing of whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have favored some of the prophets over others, and to David We gave the Psalms.}