ﱪ ﱫ ﱬ ﱭ ﱮ ﱯ ﱰ ﱱ ﱲ ﱳ ﱴ ﱵ ﱶ ﱷ ﱸ ﱹ ﱺ ﱻ ﱼ ﱽ
For every religion We have appointed rites which they perform. So, [O Muhammad], let the disbelievers not contend with you over the matter but invite them to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon straight guidance.
Tafsir
Verse range: 22:67
"For every nation We have appointed religious rites..."
It is a prohibition directed at the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). It means: Do not pay attention to their speech, and do not allow them to dispute with you.
Alternatively, it is a rebuke to them for confronting the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with disputes regarding the religion, while they are ignorant, possessing no knowledge—referring to the disbelievers of the Khuza‘a tribe. It is narrated that Budayl ibn Warqa’, Bishr ibn Sufyan al-Khuza‘i, and others said to the Muslims: "Why do you eat what you kill, but do not eat what Allah has killed?"—meaning carrion.
Al-Zajjaj said: It is a prohibition for him (ﷺ) against engaging in dispute, similar to saying: "Do not let so-and-so fight you," meaning: "Do not fight him." This is permissible for actions that can only occur between two parties.
"In the matter" Regarding the matter of religion. It is also said: regarding the matter of religious rites.
It is recited: (fala yanzi‘annaka), meaning: Remain firm in your religion with a firmness that leaves them no hope of pulling you away or removing you from it. The intent is to increase the steadfastness of the Prophet (ﷺ) by stirring his zeal and inflaming his anger for the sake of Allah and His religion.
Examples of this include:
It is far-fetched that the resolve of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would ever graze near that forbidden territory; rather, it is stated for the reason I mentioned to you: the desire to stir and inflame.
Al-Zajjaj said: It is derived from naza‘tuhu fa-naza‘tuhu anzi‘uhu, meaning: I overcame him. Thus, it means: Do not let them overcome you in the dispute.
If you ask: Why does the parallel to this verse come conjoined with the waw (and), while it is omitted here? I say: Because that one occurred alongside verses similar and appropriate to it regarding the matter of religious rites, so it was conjoined to its sisters. As for this one, it is situated among verses distant from its meaning, so it found no place to be conjoined.
"And if they dispute with you, then say: Allah is most knowing of what you do."
