Surah Baqarah ayat 256 Tafsir Quran 2:256

﴿لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾
[ البقرة: 256]

2:256 There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

There is no compulsion in entering into religion. Rectitude has become clear from error that is say through clear proofs it has become manifest that faith is rectitude and disbelief is error this was revealed concerning the Ansār of Medina who tried to compel their sons to enter into Islam; so whoever disbelieves in the false deity namely Satan or idols tāghūt ‘false deity’ is used in a singular and plural sense and believes in God has laid hold of the most firm handle the tight knot unbreaking that cannot be severed; God is Hearing of what is said Knowing of what is done.

Compulsion is incompatible with religion, therefore let there be no compulsion in religion. Now the path of righteousness has been distinguished from the path of error and holiness distinguished from vindictiveness. Therefore, he who rejects false beliefs and turns his attention to Allah with a religious mind, will have firmly grasped the eternal, unchangeable and most secure handhold which shall never separate, nor shall it suffer a break, and Allah is Sami‘un and Alimun

No Compulsion in Religion Allah said, لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّينِ ( There is no compulsion in religion ), meaning, "Do not force anyone to become Muslim, for Islam is plain and clear, and its proofs and evidence are plain and clear.
Therefore, there is no need to force anyone to embrace Islam.
Rather, whoever Allah directs to Islam, opens his heart for it and enlightens his mind, will embrace Islam with certainty.
Whoever Allah blinds his heart and seals his hearing and sight, then he will not benefit from being forced to embrace Islam." It was reported that the Ansar were the reason behind revealing this Ayah, although its indication is general in meaning.
Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that before Islam, "When ( an Ansar ) woman would not bear children who would live, she would vow that if she gives birth to a child who remains alive, she would raise him as a Jew.
When Banu An-Nadir ( the Jewish tribe ) were evacuated from Al-Madinah, some of the children of the Ansar were being raised among them, and the Ansar said, `We will not abandon our children.' Allah revealed, لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ( There is no compulsion in religion.
Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. )" Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i also recorded this Hadith.
As for the Hadith that Imam Ahmad recorded, in which Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a man,
«أَسْلِم»
قَالَ: إِنِّي أَجِدُنِي كَارِهًا قَالَ:
«وَإِنْ كُنْتَ كَارِهًا»
( "Embrace Islam." The man said, "I dislike it." The Prophet said, "Even if you dislike it." ) First, this is an authentic Hadith, with only three narrators between Imam Ahmad and the Prophet .
However, it is not relevant to the subject under discussion, for the Prophet did not force that man to become Muslim.
The Prophet merely invited this man to become Muslim, and he replied that he does not find himself eager to become Muslim.
The Prophet said to the man that even though he dislikes embracing Islam, he should still embrace it, `for Allah will grant you sincerity and true intent.' Tawhid is the Most Trustworthy Handhold Allah's statement, فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّـغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ( Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.
And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower ) is in reference to, "Whoever shuns the rivals of Allah, the idols, and those that Shaytan calls to be worshipped besides Allah, whoever believes in Allah's Oneness, worships Him alone and testifies that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, then فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى ( then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. ) Therefore, this person will have acquired firmness in the religion and proceeded on the correct way and the straight path.
Abu Al-Qasim Al-Baghawi recorded that `Umar said, "Jibt means magic, and Taghut means Shaytan.
Verily, courage and cowardice are two instincts that appear in men, the courageous fights for those whom he does not know and the coward runs away from defending his own mother.
Man's honor resides with his religion and his status is based upon his character, even if he was Persian or Nabatian." `Umar's statement that Taghut is Shaytan is very sound, for this meaning includes every type of evil that the ignorant people of Jahiliyyah ( pre Islamic era of ignorace ) fell into, such as worshipping idols, referring to them for judgement, and invoking them for victory. Allah's statement, فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا ( then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break ) means, "He will have hold of the true religion with the strongest grasp." Allah equated this adherence to the firm handhold that never breaks because it is built solid and because its handle is firmly connected.
This is why Allah said here, فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا ( then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. ) Mujahid said, "The most trustworthy handhold is Iman ( faith )." As-Suddi said that it refers to Islam.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Qays bin `Abbad said, "I was in the Masjid when a man whose face showed signs of humbleness came and prayed two Rak`ahs that were modest in length.
The people said, `This is a man from among the people of Paradise.' When he left, I followed him until he entered his house, and I entered it after him and spoke with him.
When he felt at ease, I said to him, `When you entered the Masjid, the people said such and such things.' He said, `All praise is due to Allah! No one should say what he has no knowledge of.
I will tell you why they said that.
I saw a vision during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and I narrated it to him.
I saw that I was in a green garden, ' and he described the garden's plants and spaciousness, `and there was an iron pole in the middle of the garden affixed in the earth and its tip reached the sky.
On its tip, there was a handle, and I was told to ascend the pole.
I said, `I cannot.' Then a helper came and raised my robe from behind and said to me, `Ascend.' I ascended until I grasped the handle and he said to me, `Hold on to the handle.' I awoke from that dream with the handle in my hand.
I went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and told him about the vision and he said,
«أَمَّا الرَّوْضَةُ فَرَوْضَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ، وَأَمَّا الْعَمُودُ فَعَمُودُ الْإِسْلَامِ، وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ فَهِيَ الْعُرْوَةُ الْوُثْقَى، أَنْتَ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ حَتَّى تَمُوت»
( As for the garden, it represents Islam; as for the pole, it represents the pillar of Islam; and the handle represents the most trustworthy handhold.
You shall remain Muslim until you die. ) This Companion was `Abdullah bin Salam." This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs; and Al-Bukhari also recorded it with another chain of narration.

(2:256) There is no compulsion and coercion in regard to religion. *285 The right thing has been made distinct from the wrong thing: now whoever rejects taghut *286 and believes in Allah has taken a firm support that never gives way.

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance meaning

*285).
Din here signifies the belief about God embodied in the above 'Verse of the Throne' and the entire system of life which rests upon it.
The verse means that the system of Islam, embracing belief, morals and practical conduct cannot be imposed by compulsion.
These are not things to which people can be yoked forcibly.

*286).
Literally taghut means anvone who exceeds his legitimate limits.
In the Qur'anic terminology, however, it refers to the creature who exceeds the limits of his creatureliness and arrogates to himself godhead and lordship.
There are three stages of man's transgression and rebellion against God.
The first stage is that one acknowledges in principle that obedience to God is right, but disregards it in practice.
This is fisq ( transgression ).
The second stage is that one not only disobeys but also rejects obedience in principle, and thus either refuses to become the subject of anyone at all or adopts someone other than God as the object of service and devotion.
This is kufr ( infidelity ).
The third stage is that one not only rebels against one's Lord but also imposes one's own will ( in disregard of the Will of God - Ed. ) on God's world and God's creatures.
Anyone who reaches such a point is termed taghut and no one can be a true believer in God unless the authority of such a taghut ( evil one ) is rejected.

 

No Compulsion in Religion Allah said, لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّينِ ( There is no compulsion in religion ), meaning, "Do not force anyone to become Muslim, for Islam is plain and clear, and its proofs and evidence are plain and clear.
Therefore, there is no need to force anyone to embrace Islam.
Rather, whoever Allah directs to Islam, opens his heart for it and enlightens his mind, will embrace Islam with certainty.
Whoever Allah blinds his heart and seals his hearing and sight, then he will not benefit from being forced to embrace Islam." It was reported that the Ansar were the reason behind revealing this Ayah, although its indication is general in meaning.
Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that before Islam, "When ( an Ansar ) woman would not bear children who would live, she would vow that if she gives birth to a child who remains alive, she would raise him as a Jew.
When Banu An-Nadir ( the Jewish tribe ) were evacuated from Al-Madinah, some of the children of the Ansar were being raised among them, and the Ansar said, `We will not abandon our children.' Allah revealed, لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ( There is no compulsion in religion.
Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. )" Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i also recorded this Hadith.
As for the Hadith that Imam Ahmad recorded, in which Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a man, «أَسْلِم» قَالَ: إِنِّي أَجِدُنِي كَارِهًا قَالَ: «وَإِنْ كُنْتَ كَارِهًا» ( "Embrace Islam." The man said, "I dislike it." The Prophet said, "Even if you dislike it." ) First, this is an authentic Hadith, with only three narrators between Imam Ahmad and the Prophet .
However, it is not relevant to the subject under discussion, for the Prophet did not force that man to become Muslim.
The Prophet merely invited this man to become Muslim, and he replied that he does not find himself eager to become Muslim.
The Prophet said to the man that even though he dislikes embracing Islam, he should still embrace it, `for Allah will grant you sincerity and true intent.' Tawhid is the Most Trustworthy Handhold Allah's statement, فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّـغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ( Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.
And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower ) is in reference to, "Whoever shuns the rivals of Allah, the idols, and those that Shaytan calls to be worshipped besides Allah, whoever believes in Allah's Oneness, worships Him alone and testifies that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, then فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى ( then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. ) Therefore, this person will have acquired firmness in the religion and proceeded on the correct way and the straight path.
Abu Al-Qasim Al-Baghawi recorded that `Umar said, "Jibt means magic, and Taghut means Shaytan.
Verily, courage and cowardice are two instincts that appear in men, the courageous fights for those whom he does not know and the coward runs away from defending his own mother.
Man's honor resides with his religion and his status is based upon his character, even if he was Persian or Nabatian." `Umar's statement that Taghut is Shaytan is very sound, for this meaning includes every type of evil that the ignorant people of Jahiliyyah ( pre Islamic era of ignorace ) fell into, such as worshipping idols, referring to them for judgement, and invoking them for victory. Allah's statement, فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا ( then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break ) means, "He will have hold of the true religion with the strongest grasp." Allah equated this adherence to the firm handhold that never breaks because it is built solid and because its handle is firmly connected.
This is why Allah said here, فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا ( then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. ) Mujahid said, "The most trustworthy handhold is Iman ( faith )." As-Suddi said that it refers to Islam.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Qays bin `Abbad said, "I was in the Masjid when a man whose face showed signs of humbleness came and prayed two Rak`ahs that were modest in length.
The people said, `This is a man from among the people of Paradise.' When he left, I followed him until he entered his house, and I entered it after him and spoke with him.
When he felt at ease, I said to him, `When you entered the Masjid, the people said such and such things.' He said, `All praise is due to Allah! No one should say what he has no knowledge of.
I will tell you why they said that.
I saw a vision during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and I narrated it to him.
I saw that I was in a green garden, ' and he described the garden's plants and spaciousness, `and there was an iron pole in the middle of the garden affixed in the earth and its tip reached the sky.
On its tip, there was a handle, and I was told to ascend the pole.
I said, `I cannot.' Then a helper came and raised my robe from behind and said to me, `Ascend.' I ascended until I grasped the handle and he said to me, `Hold on to the handle.' I awoke from that dream with the handle in my hand.
I went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and told him about the vision and he said, «أَمَّا الرَّوْضَةُ فَرَوْضَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ، وَأَمَّا الْعَمُودُ فَعَمُودُ الْإِسْلَامِ، وَأَمَّا الْعُرْوَةُ فَهِيَ الْعُرْوَةُ الْوُثْقَى، أَنْتَ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ حَتَّى تَمُوت» ( As for the garden, it represents Islam; as for the pole, it represents the pillar of Islam; and the handle represents the most trustworthy handhold.
You shall remain Muslim until you die. ) This Companion was `Abdullah bin Salam." This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs; and Al-Bukhari also recorded it with another chain of narration.

( There is no compulsion in religion ) no one from among the people of the Book and the Magians should be coerced to believe in the divine Oneness of Allah after the Arabs’ embrace of Islam. ( The right direction is henceforth distinct from error ) faith from disbelief and Truth from falsehood. The following was revealed about Mundhir Ibn Sawi al-Tamimi: ( And he who rejecteth false deities ) the command of the devil and the worship of idols ( and believeth in Allah ) and in what has come forth from Him ( hath grasped a firm handhold ) has taken in trust there is no God save Allah ( which will never break ) will never cease, vanish or perish; it is also said that this means: for him who believes in it, the bliss of Paradise will never cease and he will never be taken out of Paradise, nor will he perish by staying in the Fire. ( Allah is Hearer ) of this speech, ( Knower ) of its reward and bliss.

There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

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