ﱁ ﱂ ﱃ ﱄ ﱅ ﱆ ﱇ ﱈ ﱉ ﱊ ﱋ ﱌ ﱍ ﱎ ﱏ ﱐ ﱑ ﱒ ﱓ ﱔ ﱕ ﱖ ﱗ ﱘ ﱙ ﱚ ﱛ
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."
Tafsir
Verse range: 29:46
{Except in a way that is best} By the trait that is best: which is meeting harshness with gentleness, anger with restraint, and aggression with patience, as He said: {Repel that which is evil with that which is best} (Al-Mu'minun: 96).
{Except those who commit injustice among them} Those who exceed the limits in hostility and stubbornness, who do not accept advice, and upon whom kindness has no effect. Use harshness with them.
It is also said: "Except those who harmed the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)." It is also said: "Except those who affirmed a child and a partner [for Allah] and said: 'The hand of Allah is chained.'"
It is also said: The meaning is, "Do not argue with those who have entered into the covenant (Dhimma) and pay the Jizya, except in the best way; except those who commit injustice by breaking the covenant and withholding the Jizya, for the argument with them is by the sword."
Qatada said: This verse is abrogated by His saying: {Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day} (At-Tawbah: 29), for there is no argument more intense than the sword.
{And say, "We believe in that which was revealed to us..."} This is a form of arguing in the way that is best.
From the Prophet (ﷺ): "Do not believe the People of the Scripture, and do not deny them. Say: 'We believe in Allah, His Books, and His Messengers.' If it is false, you will not have believed it, and if it is true, you will not have denied it."
