Surah Baqarah ayat 113 Tafsir Quran 2:113

﴿وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَارَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَارَىٰ لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۚ فَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ﴾
[ البقرة: 113]

2:113 The Jews say "The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they [both] recite the Scripture. Thus the polytheists speak the same as their words. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

The Jews say ‘The Christians stand on nothing’ that can be used as support for their claims and they rejected Jesus; and the Christians say ‘The Jews stand on nothing’ that can be used as support for their claims and they rejected Moses; yet they both groups recite the Scripture revealed to them in the Scripture of the Jews there is the confirmation of Jesus and in that of the Christians there is the confirmation of Moses yatlūna’l-kitāba ‘they recite the Scripture’ the sentence is a circumstantial qualifier. Thus in the way that these have said the ignorant from among the Arabs and others say the like of what these say this last phrase mithla qawlihim ‘the like of what they say’ is the explication of dhālika ‘that way’ that is to say to every person of religion they would say ‘You have no basis’; God shall decide between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding their differences in religion and will admit the confirmer into Paradise and the falsifier into the Fire.

And yet the Jews say: The Christians are prone to a system not based upon truth. And the Christians say: The Jews rely on a religion without the groundwork of truth, while both of them learn from the same Book. Without much knowledge of the Book, the Pagans said this but Allah shall judge them in Day of Judgement* in matters concerning their variance

The Hopes of the People of the Book Allah made the confusion of the Jews and the Christians clear, since they claim that no one will enter Paradise, unless he is a Jew or a Christian.
Similarly, Allah mentioned their claims in Surat Al-Ma'idah: نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ ( We are the children of Allah and His loved ones ) ( 5:18 ). Allah refuted this false claim and informed them that they will be punished because of their sins.
Previously we mentioned their claim that the Fire would not touch them for more than a few days, after which they would be put in Paradise.
Allah rebuked this claim, and He said about this baseless claim, m تِلْكَ أَمَانِيُّهُمْ ( These are their own desires ).
Abu Al-`Aliyah commented, "These are wishes that they wished Allah would answer, without basis." Similar was stated by Qatadah and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas.
Allah then said, قُلْ ( Say ) meaning, "Say O Muhammad:" هَاتُواْ بُرْهَـنَكُمْ ( "Produce your Burhan..." ) meaning, "Your proof", as Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, As-Suddi and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas stated.
Qatadah said that the Ayah means, "Bring the evidence that supports your statement, إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ ( if you are truthful ) in your claim.
" Allah then said, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ ( Yes! But whoever submits his face (himself ) to Allah ( i.e.
follows Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism ) and he is a Muhsin) meaning, "Whoever performs deeds in sincerity, for Allah alone without partners." In a similar statement, Allah said, فَإنْ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِىَ للَّهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ ( So if they dispute with you (Muhammad ) say: "I have submitted myself to Allah ( in Islam ), and ( so have ) those who follow me.") ( 3:20 ) Abu Al-`Aliyah and Ar-Rabi` said that, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ ( Yes! But whoever submits his face (himself ) to Allah) means, "Whoever is sincere with Allah." Also, Sa`id bin Jubayr said that, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ ( Yes! But whoever submits ) means, he is sincere, وَجْهَهُ ( his face (himself )) meaning, in his religion. وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ ( and he is a Muhsin ) following the Messenger .
For there are two conditions for deeds to be accepted; the deed must be performed for Allah's sake alone and conform to the Shari`ah.
When the deed is sincere, but does not conform to the Shari`ah, then it will not be accepted.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَد»
( Whoever performs a deed that does not conform with our matter (religion ), then it will be rejected.) This Hadith was recorded by Muslim.
Therefore, the good deeds of the priests and rabbis will not be accepted, even if they are sincerely for Allah alone, because these deeds do not conform with the method of the Messenger , who was sent for all mankind.
Allah said regarding such cases, وَقَدِمْنَآ إِلَى مَا عَمِلُواْ مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَآءً مَّنثُوراً ( And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners ) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.) ( 25:23 ) وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَعْمَـلُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَآءً حَتَّى إِذَا جَآءَهُ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْئاً ( As for those who disbelieved, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert.
The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing. ) ( 24:39 ) and, وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَـشِعَةٌ - عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ - تَصْلَى نَاراً حَامِيَةً - تُسْقَى مِنْ عَيْنٍ ءَانِيَةٍ ( Some faces, that Day will be humiliated.
Laboring, weary.
They will enter in the hot blazing Fire.
They will be given to drink from a boiling spring ) ( 88:2-5 ). When the deed conforms to the Shari`ah outwardly, but the person did not perform it sincerely for Allah alone, the deed will also be rejected, as in the case of the hypocrites and those who do their deeds to show off.
Similarly, Allah said, إِنَّ الْمُنَـفِقِينَ يُخَـدِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُواْ إِلَى الصَّلَوةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَى يُرَآءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً ( Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them.
And when they stand up for As-Salah (the prayer ), they stand with laziness to be seen by people, and they do not remember Allah but little.) ( 4:142 ) and, فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ - الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَـتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ - الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَ - وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ ( So woe unto those performers of Salah (prayers ) ( hypocrites ).
Those who delay their Salah ( from their stated fixed times ).
Those who do good deeds only to be seen ( of men ).
And withhold Al-Ma`un ( small kindnesses )) ( 107:4-7 ). This is why Allah said, فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلاً صَـلِحاً وَلاَ يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدَا ( So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord ) ( 18: 110 ). He also said in this Ayah, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ ( Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself ) to Allah ( follows Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism ) and he is a Muhsin). Allah's statement, فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ( Shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve ) guaranteed them the rewards and safety from what they fear and should avoid. فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ( There shall be no fear on them ) in the future, وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ( nor shall they grieve ) about what they abandoned in the past.
Moreover, Sa`id bin Jubayr said, فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ "( There shall be no fear on them ) in the Hereafter, and وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ( nor shall they grieve ) about their imminent death." The Jews and Christians dispute among Themselves out of Disbelief and Stubbornness Allah said, وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَـرَى عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَـرَى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَـبَ ( The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing (i.e.
are not on the right religion ); and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing ( i.e.
are not on the right religion ); though they both recite the Scripture.) Allah explained the disputes, hatred and stubbornness that the People of the Book have towards each other.
Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "When a delegation of Christians from Najran came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , the Jewish rabbis came and began arguing with them before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Rafi` bin Huraymilah said, `You do not follow anything,' and he reiterated his disbelief in Jesus and the Injil.
Then a Christian man from Najran's delegation said to the Jews, `Rather, you do not follow anything,' and he reiterated his rejection of Musa's prophethood and his disbelief in the Torah.
So Allah revealed the Ayah, وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَـرَى عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَـرَى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَـبَ ( The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing (i.e.
are not on the right religion ); and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing ( i.e.
are not on the right religion ); though they both recite the Scripture.
)" Allah made it clear that each party read the affirmation of what they claimed to reject in their Book.
Consequently, the Jews disbelieve in Jesus, even though they have the Torah in which Allah took their Covenant by the tongue of Moses to believe in Jesus.
Also, the Gospel contains Jesus' assertion that Moses' prophethood and the Torah came from Allah.
Yet, each party disbelieved in what the other party had. Allah said, كَذَلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ( Like unto their word, said those who know not ) thus exposing the ignorance displayed by the Jews and the Christians concerning their statements that we mentioned.
There is a difference of opinion regarding the meaning of Allah's statement, الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( who know not ) For instance, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Qatadah said that, كَذَلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( Like unto their word, said those said those who know not ) means, "The Christians said similar statements to the Jews." Ibn Jurayj asked `Ata' "Who are those `who know not"' `Ata' said, "Nations that existed before the Jews and the Christians and before the Torah and the Gospel." Also, As-Suddi said that, قَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( said those who know not ) is in reference to the Arabs who said that Muhammad was not following anything ( i.
e.
did not follow a true or existing religion ).
Abu Ja`far bin Jarir chose the view that this Ayah is general and that there is no evidence that specifically supports any of these explanations.
So interpreting the Ayah in a general way is better.
Allah knows best. Allah said, فَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ( Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they have been differing. ) meaning, that Allah will gather them all on the Day of Return.
On that Day, Allah will justly judge between them, for He is never unjust with anyone, even as little as the weight of an atom.
This Ayah is similar to Allah's statement in Surat Al-Hajj ( 22:17 ), إِنَّ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَالَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالصَّـبِئِينَ وَالنَّصَـرَى وَالْمَجُوسَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيـمَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ ( Verily, those who believe (in Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad ), and those who are Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians, and the Majus, and those who associate partners with Allah; truly, Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection.
Verily, Allah is over all things a Witness). Allah said, قُلْ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفْتَحُ بَيْنَنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَهُوَ الْفَتَّاحُ الْعَلِيمُ ( Say: "Our Lord will assemble us all together (on the Day of Resurrection ), then He will judge between us with truth.
And He is the Just Judge, the Knower of the true state of affairs.") ( 34:26 ).

(2:113) The Jews say that the Christians have nothing (of the Truth) and the Christians say that the Jews have nothing of it, though both read the Scripture. And those who have no knowledge of the Scripture *113 also make similar claims. Allah will surely give His judgement on the Day of Resurrection in all the matters in which they differ.

The Jews say "The Christians have nothing meaning

*113).
The reference is to the polytheists of Arabia.

 

The Hopes of the People of the Book Allah made the confusion of the Jews and the Christians clear, since they claim that no one will enter Paradise, unless he is a Jew or a Christian.
Similarly, Allah mentioned their claims in Surat Al-Ma'idah: نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ ( We are the children of Allah and His loved ones ) ( 5:18 ). Allah refuted this false claim and informed them that they will be punished because of their sins.
Previously we mentioned their claim that the Fire would not touch them for more than a few days, after which they would be put in Paradise.
Allah rebuked this claim, and He said about this baseless claim, m تِلْكَ أَمَانِيُّهُمْ ( These are their own desires ).
Abu Al-`Aliyah commented, "These are wishes that they wished Allah would answer, without basis." Similar was stated by Qatadah and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas.
Allah then said, قُلْ ( Say ) meaning, "Say O Muhammad:" هَاتُواْ بُرْهَـنَكُمْ ( "Produce your Burhan..." ) meaning, "Your proof", as Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, As-Suddi and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas stated.
Qatadah said that the Ayah means, "Bring the evidence that supports your statement, إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ ( if you are truthful ) in your claim.
" Allah then said, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ ( Yes! But whoever submits his face (himself ) to Allah ( i.e.
follows Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism ) and he is a Muhsin) meaning, "Whoever performs deeds in sincerity, for Allah alone without partners." In a similar statement, Allah said, فَإنْ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِىَ للَّهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ ( So if they dispute with you (Muhammad ) say: "I have submitted myself to Allah ( in Islam ), and ( so have ) those who follow me.") ( 3:20 ) Abu Al-`Aliyah and Ar-Rabi` said that, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ ( Yes! But whoever submits his face (himself ) to Allah) means, "Whoever is sincere with Allah." Also, Sa`id bin Jubayr said that, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ ( Yes! But whoever submits ) means, he is sincere, وَجْهَهُ ( his face (himself )) meaning, in his religion. وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ ( and he is a Muhsin ) following the Messenger .
For there are two conditions for deeds to be accepted; the deed must be performed for Allah's sake alone and conform to the Shari`ah.
When the deed is sincere, but does not conform to the Shari`ah, then it will not be accepted.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَد» ( Whoever performs a deed that does not conform with our matter (religion ), then it will be rejected.) This Hadith was recorded by Muslim.
Therefore, the good deeds of the priests and rabbis will not be accepted, even if they are sincerely for Allah alone, because these deeds do not conform with the method of the Messenger , who was sent for all mankind.
Allah said regarding such cases, وَقَدِمْنَآ إِلَى مَا عَمِلُواْ مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَآءً مَّنثُوراً ( And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners ) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.) ( 25:23 ) وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ أَعْمَـلُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَآءً حَتَّى إِذَا جَآءَهُ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْئاً ( As for those who disbelieved, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert.
The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing. ) ( 24:39 ) and, وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَـشِعَةٌ - عَامِلَةٌ نَّاصِبَةٌ - تَصْلَى نَاراً حَامِيَةً - تُسْقَى مِنْ عَيْنٍ ءَانِيَةٍ ( Some faces, that Day will be humiliated.
Laboring, weary.
They will enter in the hot blazing Fire.
They will be given to drink from a boiling spring ) ( 88:2-5 ). When the deed conforms to the Shari`ah outwardly, but the person did not perform it sincerely for Allah alone, the deed will also be rejected, as in the case of the hypocrites and those who do their deeds to show off.
Similarly, Allah said, إِنَّ الْمُنَـفِقِينَ يُخَـدِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُواْ إِلَى الصَّلَوةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَى يُرَآءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً ( Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them.
And when they stand up for As-Salah (the prayer ), they stand with laziness to be seen by people, and they do not remember Allah but little.) ( 4:142 ) and, فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ - الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَـتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ - الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَآءُونَ - وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ ( So woe unto those performers of Salah (prayers ) ( hypocrites ).
Those who delay their Salah ( from their stated fixed times ).
Those who do good deeds only to be seen ( of men ).
And withhold Al-Ma`un ( small kindnesses )) ( 107:4-7 ). This is why Allah said, فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلاً صَـلِحاً وَلاَ يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدَا ( So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord ) ( 18: 110 ). He also said in this Ayah, بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ ( Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself ) to Allah ( follows Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism ) and he is a Muhsin). Allah's statement, فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ( Shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve ) guaranteed them the rewards and safety from what they fear and should avoid. فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ( There shall be no fear on them ) in the future, وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ( nor shall they grieve ) about what they abandoned in the past.
Moreover, Sa`id bin Jubayr said, فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ "( There shall be no fear on them ) in the Hereafter, and وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ( nor shall they grieve ) about their imminent death." The Jews and Christians dispute among Themselves out of Disbelief and Stubbornness Allah said, وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَـرَى عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَـرَى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَـبَ ( The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing (i.e.
are not on the right religion ); and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing ( i.e.
are not on the right religion ); though they both recite the Scripture.) Allah explained the disputes, hatred and stubbornness that the People of the Book have towards each other.
Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "When a delegation of Christians from Najran came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , the Jewish rabbis came and began arguing with them before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Rafi` bin Huraymilah said, `You do not follow anything,' and he reiterated his disbelief in Jesus and the Injil.
Then a Christian man from Najran's delegation said to the Jews, `Rather, you do not follow anything,' and he reiterated his rejection of Musa's prophethood and his disbelief in the Torah.
So Allah revealed the Ayah, وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَـرَى عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَـرَى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَـبَ ( The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing (i.e.
are not on the right religion ); and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing ( i.e.
are not on the right religion ); though they both recite the Scripture.
)" Allah made it clear that each party read the affirmation of what they claimed to reject in their Book.
Consequently, the Jews disbelieve in Jesus, even though they have the Torah in which Allah took their Covenant by the tongue of Moses to believe in Jesus.
Also, the Gospel contains Jesus' assertion that Moses' prophethood and the Torah came from Allah.
Yet, each party disbelieved in what the other party had. Allah said, كَذَلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ( Like unto their word, said those who know not ) thus exposing the ignorance displayed by the Jews and the Christians concerning their statements that we mentioned.
There is a difference of opinion regarding the meaning of Allah's statement, الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( who know not ) For instance, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Qatadah said that, كَذَلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( Like unto their word, said those said those who know not ) means, "The Christians said similar statements to the Jews." Ibn Jurayj asked `Ata' "Who are those `who know not"' `Ata' said, "Nations that existed before the Jews and the Christians and before the Torah and the Gospel." Also, As-Suddi said that, قَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( said those who know not ) is in reference to the Arabs who said that Muhammad was not following anything ( i.
e.
did not follow a true or existing religion ).
Abu Ja`far bin Jarir chose the view that this Ayah is general and that there is no evidence that specifically supports any of these explanations.
So interpreting the Ayah in a general way is better.
Allah knows best. Allah said, فَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ( Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they have been differing. ) meaning, that Allah will gather them all on the Day of Return.
On that Day, Allah will justly judge between them, for He is never unjust with anyone, even as little as the weight of an atom.
This Ayah is similar to Allah's statement in Surat Al-Hajj ( 22:17 ), إِنَّ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَالَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالصَّـبِئِينَ وَالنَّصَـرَى وَالْمَجُوسَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيـمَةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ ( Verily, those who believe (in Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad ), and those who are Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians, and the Majus, and those who associate partners with Allah; truly, Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection.
Verily, Allah is over all things a Witness). Allah said, قُلْ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفْتَحُ بَيْنَنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَهُوَ الْفَتَّاحُ الْعَلِيمُ ( Say: "Our Lord will assemble us all together (on the Day of Resurrection ), then He will judge between us with truth.
And He is the Just Judge, the Knower of the true state of affairs.") ( 34:26 ).

Allah then mentions the claims of the Jews and Christians that their respective religion is the true Religion, saying: ( And Jews ) the Jews of Medina ( say Christians follow nothing ) as religion from God and there is no true religion except Judaism, ( and Christians ) the Christians of Najran ( say Jews follow nothing ) as religion from God and there is no true religion except Christianity; ( though both are readers of the Scripture ) both parties read the Book and do not believe in it and further claim things that are not mentioned therein. ( Even thus spoke those who know not ) knew the Oneness of Allah through their own forefathers; and it is said this means: they knew the Book of Allah from others. ( Allah will judge between them ) between the Jews and Christians ( on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they differ ).

The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing (i.e. are not on the right religion); and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing (i.e. are not on the right religion); though they both recite the Scripture. Like unto their word, said (the pagans) who know not. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they have been differing.

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