SURAH AL-IMRAN (AYAH 61 to 70)

فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنْفُسَنَا وَأَنْفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَلْ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ {3:61}

[Q3:61]  Faman haaajjaka feehi mim ba'di maa jaaa'aka minal 'ilmi faqul ta'aalaw nad'u abnaaa'anaa wa abnaaa'akum wa nisaaa'anaa wa nisaaa'akum wa anfusanaa wa anfusakum summa nabtahil fanaj'al la'natal laahi 'alal kaazibeen.
[Q3:61] But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of ALLAH (SWT) on the liars.

[Q3:61] Kemudian sesiapa yang membantahmu (wahai Muhammad) mengenainya, sesudah engkau beroleh pengetahuan yang benar, maka katakanlah kepada mereka: Marilah kita menyeru anak-anak kami serta anak-anak kamu dan perempuan-perempuan kami serta perempuan-perempuan kamu dan diri kami serta diri kamu, kemudian kita memohon kepada ALLAH (SwT) dengan bersungguh-sungguh, serta kita meminta supaya laknat ALLAH (SwT) ditimpakan kepada orang-orang yang berdusta.

THIS VERSE REFERS TO THE WELL-KNOWN event of MUBAHILAH mentioned in every book of history, traditions and tafsir written by Muslim scholars.

The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was sending invitations to all to accept the true religion of ALLAH (SWT). Tribe after tribe, region after region, were coming into the fold of Islam. One such invitation was sent to the Christians of Najran, a town in Yemen, in the 9th year of Hijra.

       A deputation of 60 scholars came to discuss the matter with the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad). Abdul Masih, the chief monk, asked him as to who was the father of Isa, thinking that the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) would accept ALLAH (SWT) as the father of Isa.

     Verse 59 of this surah was revealed and presented to the Christians as a reply BUT they did not listen to reason. Then this verse was revealed to call them to a spiritual contest by invoking the curse of ALLAH (SWT) on the liars mubahilah. The Christians agreed to this contest.

     Early next morning, the 24th of the month of Dhilhijjah, the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) sent Salman to the selected site, outside the city area, to set up a shelter for those whom he would take with him, as his sons, women and selves.

     A large number of companions assembled in the masjid, making themselves available for the selection. On the opposite side of the field, selected for the contest, the Christians, with their selected men, women and children appeared on the scene.

     At the appointed hour, a huge crowd, standing in wait, saw the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) coming in, Imam Husayn in his arms, Imam Hasan holding his index finger, walking beside him, Bibi Fatimah Zahra, close to his heels and Imam Ali just behind her-as his sons, women, and selves. It should be noted that although there was provision for "women" and "selves" the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) selected one "woman" and one "self"-Fatimah and Ali, BECAUSE there was no woman and no man among his followers at that time who could be brought into the contest of invoking the curse of ALLAH (SWT) on the liars. They alone were the truthful ones. (See commentary of al Tawbah 9:119).

The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) raised his hands to the heaven and said:

"O my Lord! These are the people of my house".

     The chief monk looked up and down at the faces of the Pure Five (Panjatan Pak), from whom emanated a radiant and brilliant glow; and this sight filled him with awe and anguish. He cried out aloud:

"By Jesus! I see the faces that if they turn upward to the heavens and pray, the mountains shall move. Believers in Jesus of Nazareth, I tell you the truth. Should you fail to come to some agreement with Muhammad, he, along with the godly souls with him, shall wipe out your existence for ever, should they invoke the curse of ALLAH (SWT) on you."

The Christians saw the wisdom of their chief and readily agreed to arrive at a settlement. As there is no compulsion in religion (Baqarah 2:256), the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) gave them complete freedom to practise their faith. He also agreed to protect their lives and possessions; AND FOR THIS SERVICE the Christians consented to pay a nominal fee (Jizya). 

IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY MANIFESTATION OF THE GLORY OF ISLAM; therefore, the followers of Muhammad and ali Muhammad celebrate this unique blessings of ALLAH (SWT) (bestowed on the Ahlul Bayt) as a "thanksgiving" occasion of great joy and comfort.

Many Muslim scholars, commentators and traditionists whom the ummah acclaim with one voice, have given the details of this event with following conclusions:

(1)     The seriousness of the occasion demanded absolute purity, physical as well as spiritual, to take part in the fateful event.

(2)     Only the best of ALLAH (SWT)'s creations (the Ahlul Bayt) were selected by the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) under ALLAH (SWT)'s guidance.

(3)     It, beyond all doubts, established the purity, the truthfulness and the sublime holiness of the Ahlul Bayt.

(4)     It also unquestionably confirmed as to who were the members of the family of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

(References:- Mahmud bin Umar Zamakhshari in al Khashshaf; Fakhr al Din al Razi in Tafsir Kabir; Jalal al Din al Suyuti in Tafsir Durr al Manthur; Tafsir Baydawi; Tafsir Nafsi; Tafsir Ibna Kathir; Sahih al Muslim and Sahih al Tirmidhi.)

A very large number of Muslims (and also non-muslims) witnessed the contest and came to know that Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn were the "Ahlul Bayt" addressed in verse 33:33 of al Ahzab, known as ayah al tat-hir or the verse of purification.

ä  IN THIS VERSE, the divine command allows the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) to take with him "sons", "women" and "selves"; THEREFORE, had there been "women" and "selves" worthy to be selected for this symbolic contest, among his companions, he would certainly have selected them, BUT as it was seen by one and all, only Fatimah and Ali (and their two sons) were chosen, BECAUSE none of the anxiously waiting companions (among whom were the three caliphs and the wives of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) *was truthful or *so thoroughly purified as to deserve selection for an event which was divinely decreed in order to also make known the true successors of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

THE WORD ANFUS IS THE PLURAL OF NAFS WHICH MEANS SOUL OR SELF. WHEN USED IN RELATION TO AN INDIVIDUAL, IT IMPLIES ANOTHER BEING OF THE SAME IDENTITY WITH COMPLETE UNITY IN EQUALITY; THEREFORE, ONE IS THE TRUE REFLECTION OF THE OTHER IN THOUGHT, ACTION AND STATUS, TO THE EXTENT THAT AT ANY OCCASION OR FOR ANY PURPOSE, ANYONE OF THEM CAN REPRESENT THE OTHER. EVEN IF THE WORD NAFS IS INTERPRETED AS "THE PEOPLE", IT IS CLEAR THAT ALI ALONE IS "THE PEOPLE" OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD).

Ë  AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), within a year, the symbolic event of mubahilah was ignored by his followers.

§  The house of FATIMAH was set on fire. A well-known companion kicked the door of her house which fell on her. The injury caused by the falling door finally killed her. In view of the following saying (Sahih Bukhari-Vol. 2, page 206) of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) her killer stands condemned for ever: "Fatimah is my flesh and blood, whoso causes suffering to her in fact causes suffering to me. He who has pained me in fact has pained ALLAH (SWT); and, indeed, he is a disbeliever", said the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) in the light of verse 33:57 of al Ahzab.

§  It happened when a large crowd under the leadership of the above said companion came to arrest Ali ibne Abi Talib, the nafs of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), his brother, his vicegerent and his successor, who was deprived of his rightful mission to administer the affairs of the ummah, after the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), SO AS to enable some to distort and corrupt the true religion of ALLAH (SWT) and utilise its name to enforce tyranny, injustice and ignorance of the pagan days.

§  Finally IMAM ALI was killed in the masjid of Kufa when he was praying the fajr salat. 

§  IMAM HASAN was killed by a deadly poison administered by a woman hired by Mu-awiyah bin Abu Sufyan.

§  IMAM HUSAYN, along with his friends and relatives, was killed in the desert of Karbala, by the army of Yazid bin Mu-awiyah, and the ladies and the children of the house of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) were held captive, taken from town to town, tortured and harassed. The body of the martyred Imam was left unburied for several days. The perpetrators of this tyranny and injustice were those who had seen with their own eyes Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn going to the contest with the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) as his sons on the day of mabahilah.

THE FOLLOWERS OF THE AHLUL BAYT ARE ON THE PATH OF TRUTH, and their enemies are the upholders of falsehood, BUT strangely so, those who follow the true path are described as dissenters, AND ON this basis have been harassed, persecuted and killed by those who denied, belied and ignored NOT ONLY the ayah al mabahilah and ayah al tat-hir BUT ALSO many such verses of the Qur’an and clear traditions of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

         At the hands of the enemies of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his holy Ahlul Bayt, YET THEY never give up their faith BECAUSE NEITHER they longed for worldly possessions NOR they feared death and destruction, in the true tradition of their Imams.

(1)     When reason and facts failed to convince the opponents, the medium of mubahilah (prayer to curse the liars) had to be used. It was a test of the truthfulness of the persons chosen to establish the truth and carry out the divine mission.

(2)     The nearest and the dearest have to be exposed to danger.

(3)     The nearest and the dearest of a prophet (who has devoted himself and whatever belonged to him to ALLAH (SWT)  and has been purified from all likes and dislikes based upon self interest, mundane desires and carnal passions) must naturally be of his class and quality in devotion and purification.

(4)     According to verse 33:46 of al Ahzab the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was a summoner unto ALLAH (SWT) by His permission; THEREFORE, it was not his choice but ALLAH (SWT)'s will to summon a certain class of people to invoke the curse of ALLAH (SWT) on the liars.

(5)     Right from the commencement of his mission to the last moment of his departure from this world, the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) called only Ali on all important occasions.

(a)     He called the ten year old Ali at the time of making known his mission.

(b)     At the time of inviting his tribe to the worship of one ALLAH (SWT), it was the thirteen year old Ali who gave answer to the call of the last prophet of ALLAH (SWT)

(c)      At the time of migration from Makka to Madina, he called Ali and asked him to lie down on his bed to face his enemies, who had planned to kill him during that night, and Ali wholeheartedly agreed to give his life to save the messenger of ALLAH (SWT).

(d)     It was Ali, who was designated, as his executor of will, to return the deposits entrusted by the residents of Makka to the al-amin prophet after the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) migrated to Madina.

(e)     In the battle of Badr, Ali was asked by him to fight and repulse the hordes of enemy soldiers when many of his companions were quietly watching the fighting from a safe distance.

(f)      In the battle of Uhad, when the enemy had an upper hand and the danger to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad)'s life was imminent, because all his companions had run away from the battlefield and disappeared, it was Ali who stood by the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and brought to naught all the plans of the enemy.

(g)     In the battle of Khandaq, Ali was called, as the embodiment of faith to fight against the incarnation of disbelief, Amr bin Abdwud, to win victory for the disheartened Muslims.

(h)     In Khaybar, when all the companions of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) tried and failed to subdue the enemy, Ali was called to come to the rescue of the deficient and depressed Muslims and conquer the fort of Khaybar single-handedly.

(i)       At the time of going to Tabuk, the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) designated Ali, as his vicegerent, to take charge of the affairs in Madina, saying “that Ali was to him as Harun was to Musa.”

(j)       Ali was called to preach the verses of al Barat which contain complete disassociation from idolatry, because only he or the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), according to the command of ALLAH (SWT), were competent to convey them to the people (on account of exact similarity or equality between the two). So Ali went to Makka and relieved Abu Bakr who had earlier been sent to do this job.

ALI, FATIMAH, HASAN AND HUSAYN, THE FOUR THOROUGHLY PURIFIED MEMBERS OF THE CHOSEN GROUP, WERE THE "SELVES" OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD), BUT HASAN AND HUSAYN, THE TWO SONS OF ALI, AS ABNA-ANA (SONS), AND FATIMAH, THE WIFE OF ALI, AS NISA-ANA (WOMEN) AND ALI HIMSELF AS ANFUSANA (SELVES) CAME OUT TO REPRESENT THE PARTY OF ALLAH (SWT). IN SAHIH MUSLIM IT IS MENTIONED THAT AT THE TIME OF COMING OUT FROM THE CANOPY, THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) LOOKED SKYWARD AND SAID: "O MY LORD, THESE ARE MY AHL UL BAYT."

Even Ibna Hazm, a staunch advocate of the Umayyid point of view, has stated that at the time of mubahilah, only Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn came out with the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) to take part in the contest.

THE ENEMIES OF THE AHLUL BAYT, true to their policy of ignoring the matchless symbolic glory of the Ahlul Bayt, either have not referred to this event at all, OR, in order to play down its fundamental role in determining the true faith, have made evasive attempts to give misleading meanings to some of the words of this verse,

Ä  Such as saying that in Arabic literature nisa has not been used for daughters. It is obvious that their knowledge about the Qur’an is very limited. In verses 4:7 to 11 of al Nisa, nisa has been used to refer to daughters. Moreover, Fatimah, in addition to her relationship to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) as his daughter, was also chosen as the wife of Ali, who is the self or soul of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad),

Ä  In which case the significance of anfusana becomes more subtle, because no wife of the other constituent of anfusana (the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was found competent to take part in the spiritual contest. In verse 66:5 of al Tahrim, the almighty ALLAH (SWT) says that if the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) divorces his wives, the Lord will give him in their stead, wives better than them, which implies that there were women better than his wives,

Ä  BUT there was none better than the "pure five", or even equal to them, who could be chosen to become one of the glorious group selected for the mubahilah in spite of the latitude accorded by the plurality permitted by the all-wise ALLAH (SWT). Please refer to the commentary of verse 33:33 of al Ahzab to ascertain that Ummi Salimah and A-isha so much desired to be taken under the blanket but were refused by the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

IF THE BAT (A FLYING MAMMAL) DOES NOT LIKE THE SUNLIGHT, NEVER SHALL THE BEAUTY OF THE SUNSHINE BECOME DIM. LIKEWISE, if the enemies of the Ahlul Bayt try to distort the facts of history, they shall never be able to tarnish the ever bright source of enlightenment and glory which shall radiate its divinely endowed splendour till eternity.

IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT ONE WOMAN, ONE MAN AND TWO BOYS WERE CHOSEN, the plural number is used here, BECAUSE in this holy house, males and females of the class of this divinely chosen group were born to face the challenge of falsehood in the same manner and style.

      IN KARBALA, when falsehood incarnate, in its utmost wickedness, challenged the truth from ALLAH (SWT), Imam Husayn, the surviving member of this group, along with the souls, sons, wives and daughters of this holy house, brought down the curse of ALLAH (SWT) upon the liars and their followers, and thus truth won an everlasting victory over falsehood.

v  In the light of Ahzab 33:33, Ali Imran 5:61 and Tawbah 9:119, Ali ibne Abi Talib has said:

I am the sidiq al akbar (the greatest truthful). I am the faruq al azam (the greatest distinguisher between truth and falsehood). He who claims any of these titles (other than me) is the greatest liar.

There was no genuine sidiq al akbar among the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad)'s companions (save Ali), otherwise he would have been selected to accompany him at the time of mubahilah.

µ  ALI WAS TEN YEARS OLD at the commencement of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad)'s mission and thirteen at the time of dawat al ashira, and on the occasion of mubahilah, Imam Hasan was six and Imam Husayn was five years old, YET the Lord commanded his messenger to select them for His cause and purpose as He had found in these particular children that which He had noticed in Isa, BECAUSE OF WHICH He bestowed prophethood on him and gave him the book and the wisdom when he was but a baby in the cradle.

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(3:61) Tell whoever disputes with you on this matter after true knowledge has come to you: 'Come! Let us summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, and then let us pray together and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie.' *55

*55. The real aim in suggesting this procedure for deciding the dispute was to prove that the attitude of those amongst the delegation of Najran was one of deliberate stubbornness and intransigence. They had no sound arguments to contradict any of the points mentioned above, and they could not find any shred of evidence in their own scriptures upon which they could claim, with firm conviction, that their beliefs were true. Moreover, all that the members of the deputation had come to know of the character, teachings and achievements of the Prophet had made them more or less convinced of his prophethood, and at least caused their disbelief to waver. When they were told that if they had full confidence in the truth of their beliefs they should come forward and pray to God that His curse should fall on the deniers of the truth, none of them came forward. It thus became clear all over Arabia that the priests and leaders of Christianity in Najran, whose holiness was celebrated far and wide, followed beliefs, the truth of which, they themselves were not fully confident in. 

إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْقَصَصُ الْحَقُّ ۚ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {3:62}

[Q3:62] Innaa haazaa lahuwal qasasul haqq; wa maa min ilaahin illal laah; wa innal laahaa la Huwal 'Azeezul Hakeem.

[Q3:62] Most surely this is the true explanation, and there is no God but ALLAH (SWT); and most surely ALLAH (SWT) -- He is the Mighty, the Wise.

[Q3:62] Sesungguhnya ini ialah kisah-kisah yang benar dan tiadalah Tuhan (yang berhak disembah) melainkan ALLAH (SwT) dan (ingatlah), sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT), Dialah jua Yang Maha Kuasa, lagi Maha Bijaksana.

ISA WAS LIKE ADAM, A PROPHET OF ALLAH (SWT) CREATED BY HIM. [1] He was neither ALLAH (SWT) [2] nor a son of ALLAH (SWT). THERE IS NO GOD SAVE ALLAH (SWT). Whoso turns away, even after these exhortations and arguments, is a mischief-maker.

Rejection of the evidences AND repudiation of the doctrine of monotheism (there is no God save ALLAH (SWT)) constitute corruption of religion and faith.

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(3:62) This is the true story. There is no God but Allah, and assuredly Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُفْسِدِينَ {3:63}

[Q3:63] Fa in tawallaw fa innal laaha'aleemun bil mufsideen.
[Q3:63] But if they turn back, then surely ALLAH (SWT) knows the mischief-makers.

[Q3:63] Kemudian kalau mereka berpaling (enggan menurut), maka sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) sentiasa Mengetahui akan orang-orang yang berbuat kerosakan.

(see commentary for verse 62)

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(3:63) And if they turn their backs, truly Allah knows those who cause mischief.

SECTION 7

Invitation to the followers of the Book to Unity of ALLAH as a common basis of faith.

The controversy with the Jews and the Christians and the invitation to the Jews to a common basis of faith.

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ {3:64}

[Q3:64] Qul yaa Ahlal Kitaabi ta'aalaw ilaa Kalimatin sawaaa'im bainanaa wa bainakum allaa na'buda illal laaha wa laa nushrika bihee shai'anw wa laa yattakhiza ba'dunaa ba'dan arbaabam min doonil laah; fa in tawallaw faqoolush hadoo bi annaa muslimoon.

[Q3:64] Say: O followers of the Book! Come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but ALLAH (SWT) and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides ALLAH (SWT); but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.

[Q3:64] Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad): Wahai Ahli Kitab, marilah kepada satu Kalimah yang bersamaan antara kami dengan kamu, iaitu kita semua tidak menyembah melainkan ALLAH (SwT) dan kita tidak sekutukan denganNya sesuatu jua pun dan jangan pula sebahagian dari kita mengambil akan sebahagian yang lain untuk dijadikan orang-orang yang dipuja dan didewa-dewakan selain dari ALLAH (SwT). Kemudian jika mereka (Ahli Kitab itu) barpaling (enggan menerimanya) maka katakanlah kepada mereka: Saksikanlah kamu bahawa sesungguhnya kami adalah orang-orang Islam.

THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD), WHILE PREACHING THE TRUTH, ADHERED TO THE POLICY OF [**] PEACE AND [**] RATIONAL ADJUSTMENT WITH THE NON-MUSLIMS.

±  The original scriptures of the Jews and the Christians also preached monotheism. See commentary of al Baqarah 2:255. Even the corrupted editions of the Old and the New Testaments contain the truth in Exodus 20: l to 4; Deut 6: 4; Isaiah 42: 8, 44: 6-45: 5, 18, 21, 22-48: 12; (1) Corinthians 8: 4, 6; Ephesians 4: 5, 6.

±  The worship of human-gods crept into their religion when they began to consider their rabbis and monks and Isa to be as gods, apart from ALLAH (SWT) (see Tawbah 9:30 and 31).

THEREFORE, IN THIS VERSE, the Jews and the Christians are invited to agree to worship none save ALLAH (SWT) AND NOT to associate anything with Him, which is a common doctrine between them and the Muslims. If they do not agree, the Muslims have been asked not to accommodate them in any way, SINCE their false faith could contaminate the pure monotheism that the Muslims believe in and hold dear to their hearts.

Ø  From the beginning of this chapter the Qur’an refers to the unity of ALLAH (SWT) (tawhid), [*] not only as the creator BUT also [*] as the absolute sovereign of all that has been created by Him (and everything has been created by Him), unto whose legislative will all have to submit. EVERY ONE MUST OBEY HIM, REVERE HIM, AND WORSHIP HIM.

Ø  All the created beings, on the earth and in the heavens and in between them (may be some of them are superior to others) are His slaves, servants and subordinates. To associate any thing, in any way, as a separate authority, with Him is polytheism (shirk). "THERE IS NO GOD SAVE ALLAH (SWT)" IS THE DIVINE DECLARATION.

Ø  All the followers of the heavenly scriptures have been commanded, after giving undeniable proofs that all the prophets including Musa and Isa were the created beings, to base their views and doctrines on this fundamental principle. The views and the theories laid down by any individual or by a group of individuals, concerning the truth, have no value at all. Adherence to such views and doctrines, replacing the divine declarations, means choosing others as an authority besides ALLAH (SWT).

Ø  "The religion with ALLAH (SWT)  is Islam" (see verse 3:19 of this surah) is the final divine announcement, after which there is no room for the controversies which have created many schools of thought, contradictory and hostile to each other, among the followers of the prophets. If all the followers of the prophets had kept intact the revealed books, and held fast to the true teachings of the messengers of ALLAH (SWT), instead of lending ear to the conjectural theorising of the rabbis and the priests, there would have not been so many dissenting divisions.

SOME followers of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) ALSO IGNORED THE TEACHINGS OF THE QUR’AN AND THE DECLARATION OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) REGARDING HIS AHLUL BAYT AND HAVE GONE ASTRAY, BECAUSE they have turned to others, instead of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his Ahlul Bayt, for the truth, although the truth had been made clear by the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) (see commentary of Ma-idah 5:67).

TO RELY ON OTHERS AND IGNORE THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SWT) IS TO OBEY A GHAYRALLAH (other than ALLAH (SWT)), WHICH IS SHIRK. 

Ä  Here it must be kept in mind that to pay respect, love, or adore those who, in obedience and submission to ALLAH (SWT), are acclaimed as models or ideals, is in itself obedience and submission to ALLAH (SWT).

Ä  Remembrance or commemoration of such godly servants of ALLAH (SWT) serves the purpose of service and devotion to ALLAH (SWT), as has been stated in verses 38:46 and 47 of al Sad.

Ä  THE SUREST WAY TO WORSHIP AND OBEY ALLAH (SWT) IS TO FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS AND DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY HIS PROPHETS, MESSENGERS, AND THEIR APPOINTED SUCCESSORS (please refer to verses 4:69 and 80 of al Nisa).

BUT IF they are held in esteem more or less than that which ALLAH (SWT) has determined for them, or some other individuals are given the same status without any divine declaration, THEN IT IS LIKE TAKING OTHERS TO BE ALLAH (SWT)S APART FROM ALLAH (SWT) (Tawbah 9:3)

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(3:64) Say: *56 'People of the Book! Come to a word common between us and you: *57 that we shall serve none but Allah and shall associate none with Him in His divinity and that some of us will not take others as lords beside Allah.' And if they turn their backs (from accepting this call), tell them: 'Bear witness that we are the ones who have submitted ourselves exclusively to Allah.'

*56. This marks the beginning of the third discourse of this surah. Its contents invite the conclusion that the surah was revealed sometime between the battles of Badr and Uhud. The subjects of these three discourses are so closely interrelated that some commentators have wrongly understood the verses which follow to be part of the foregoing discourse. From the whole tenor of the discourse which now begins, however, it is evident that it is addressed to the Jews. 
*57. The invitation here is for the two parties to agree on something believed in by one of them, the Muslims, and the soundness of which could hardly be denied by the other party, the Christians. For this was the belief of their own Prophets and had been taught in their own scriptures. 

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تُحَاجُّونَ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَتِ التَّوْرَاةُ وَالْإِنْجِيلُ إِلَّا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ {3:65}

[Q3:65] Yaaa Ahlal Kitaabi limaa tuhaaajjoona feee Ibraaheema wa maaa unzilatit Tawraatu wal Injeelu illaa mim ba'dih; afala ta'qiloon.

[Q3:65] O followers of the Book! Why do you dispute about Ibrahim, when the Taurat and the Injeel were not revealed till after him; do you not then understand?

[Q3:65] Wahai Ahli Kitab! Mengapa kamu berani memperdebatkan tentang (agama) Nabi Ibrahim, padahal Taurat dan Injil tidak diturunkan melainkan kemudian daripada (zaman) Ibrahim; patutkah (kamu berdegil sehingga) kamu tidak mahu menggunakan akal? 

JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY WERE INSTITUTED AFTER THE REVELATION OF THE TAWRAH AND THE INJIL TO MUSA AND ISA RESPECTIVELY, WHEREAS, ACCORDING TO THE QUR’AN, THE RELIGION OF ALLAH (SWT), ISLAM, WAS PREACHED AND PRACTISED BY ALL HIS PROPHETS FROM ADAM TO MUHAMMAD. FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO ITS END, ISLAM (TOTAL SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF ALLAH (SWT)) REMAINS TO BE THE ONLY RELIGION OF ALLAH (SWT). THEREFORE to argue whether Ibrahim was a Jew or a Christian is a meaningless dispute between the two religions conjured out after centuries and centuries of Ibrahim's time.

©  According to Baqarah 2:128 and Hajj 22:78. Ibrahim and his descendants were Muslims. Islam is the universal religion. All His prophets and their true followers were Muslims.

Ø  Badshah Husain, in his English translation of the Qur’an, writes as under;

The Jewish belief is also difficult to define. Time was when it was grossly anthropomorphic and 'monolatros' (as Charles expressively calls it). The Yahweh was only the tribal God of Israel, the Gods of other nations were not false, BUT it was the duty of Israelites to reject them. As culture extended, the other Gods began to be denied and Yahweh remained the sole Lord and anthropomorphism also decreased and explanations were devised to interpret passages in the Pentateuch that spoke of God as walking in the gardens, fighting duels with men and the like. (Vol. II p. 53)

The Jews and the Christians dispute about the identity of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) WHOSE ADVENT HAS been clearly mentioned in the Tawrat and the Injil, of which they are fully aware. They do not know anything about the religion of Ibrahim, yet they, out of ignorance, say that he was a Jew or a Christian, whereas only ALLAH (SWT) knows that he was a Muslim, neither a Jew nor a Christian. WHOSO HAS SUBMITTED TO THE WILL OF ALLAH (SWT), AT ANY TIME AND IN ANY AGE, IS A MUSLIM.

TO EVERY PEOPLE A PROPHET HAD BEEN SENT TO PREACH ISLAM (SUBMISSION TO ALLAH (SWT)) BUT each successive dispensation had been abused by its votaries, who in the course of time had turned aside from the true religion of ALLAH (SWT).

v  IT WAS THE MISSION OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) TO [1] RE-AFFIRM, [2] COMPLETE AND [3] PERFECT THE RELIGION OF ALLAH (SWT) IN ITS MINUTEST DETAILS, AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO LET IT PREVAIL IN ALL AGES FOR ALL TIMES TO COME, THROUGH [a] THE FINAL BOOK OF ALLAH (SWT) (THE QUR’AN), [b] HIS AHLUL BAYT AND [c] HIS WAY OF LIFE (SUNNAH).

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(3:65) People of the Book! Why do you dispute with us about Abraham even though the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after the time of Abraham? Do you not understand? *58

*58. That is, both Judaism and Christianity came into existence after the Torah and the Injil had been revealed; Abraham had lived much earlier than that. Thus it can easily be grasped that the religion of Abraham could not have been that of either Judaism or Christianity. If Abraham was on the right path and had attained salvation it is obvious that one need not follow either, Judaism or Christianity in order to be on the right path and to attain salvation. (See also Surah 2, nn. 135 and 141 above.) 

هَا أَنْتُمْ هَٰؤُلَاءِ حَاجَجْتُمْ فِيمَا لَكُمْ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلِمَ تُحَاجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيْسَ لَكُمْ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {3:66}

[Q3:66] Haaa antum haaa'ulaaa'i baajajtum feemaa lakum bihee 'ilmun falima tuhaaajjoonaa feemaa laisa lakum bihee 'ilm; wallaahu ya'lamu wa antum laa ta'lamoon.
[Q3:66] Behold! You are they who disputed about that of which you had knowledge; why then do you dispute about that of which you have no knowledge? And ALLAH (SWT) knows while you do not know.

[Q3:66] Ingatlah! Kamu ini orang-orang (bodoh), kamu telah memajukan bantahan tentang perkara yang kamu ada pengetahuan mengenainya (yang diterangkan perihalnya dalam Kitab Taurat), maka mengapa kamu membuat bantahan tentang perkara yang tidak ada pada kamu sedikit pengetahuan pun bersabit dengannya? Dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) mengetahui (hakikat yang sebenarnya) sedang kamu tidak mengetahuinya. 

(see commentary for verse 65)

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(3:66) Behold, you are those who have disputed greatly concerning matters which you knew; why are you now disputing about matters that you know nothing about? Allah knows it whereas you do not know.

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَٰكِنْ كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُسْلِمًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ {3:67}

[Q3:67] Maa kaana Ibraaheemu Yahoodiyyanw wa laa Nasraa niyyanw wa laakin kaana Haneefam Muslimanw wa maa kaana minal mushrikeen.

[Q3:67] Ibrahim was not a Jew nor a Christian but he was (an) upright (man), a Muslim, and he was not one of the polytheists.

[Q3:67] Bukanlah Nabi Ibrahim itu seorang pemeluk agama Yahudi dan bukanlah dia seorang pemeluk agama Kristian, tetapi dia seorang yang tetap di atas dasar Tauhid sebagai seorang Muslim (yang taat dan berserah bulat-bulat kepada ALLAH (SwT)) dan dia pula bukanlah dari orang-orang musyrik. 

(see commentary for verse 65)

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(3:67) Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; he was a Muslim, wholly devoted to God. *59 And he certainly was not amongst those who associate others with Allah in His divinity.

*59. The word hanif denotes someone who turns his face away from all other directions in order to follow one particular course. We have tried to convey this sense through the expression: 'a Muslim, wholly devoted to God'. 

إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَٰذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {3:68}

[Q3:68] Innaa awlan naasi bi Ibraaheema lallazeenat taba'oohu wa haazan nabiyyu wallazeena aamanoo; wallaahu waliyyul mu'mineen.

[Q3:68] Most surely the nearest of people to Ibrahim are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who believe and ALLAH (SWT) is the guardian of the believers.

[Q3:68] Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang hampir sekali kepada Nabi Ibrahim (dan berhak mewarisi agamanya) ialah orang-orang yang mengikutinya dan juga Nabi (Muhammad) ini serta orang-orang yang beriman (umatnya iaitu umat Islam) dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) ialah Pelindung dan Penolong sekalian orang-orang yang beriman. 

THE NEAREST OF MEN TO IBRAHIM WERE SURELY THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM AND HIS RELIGION. NEARNESS takes effect through faithful following, not because of relationship, AND THAT IS why the son of Nuh has been condemned (Hud 11:45, 46).

v  Ali ibne Abi Talib has also said that the nearest to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) is he who obeys ALLAH (SWT), though he may not be related to him, AND the enemy of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) is he who disobeys ALLAH (SWT), though he may be related to him.

v  Imam Ali bin Husayn al Zayn al Abidin has said: "Paradise is for the pious, be he a slave; and hell is for the wicked, be he a Quraysh (relative of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad)."

And that which was applicable to Ibrahim is applicable to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and those who believe as the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) believes.

IT MUST BE NOTED THAT OBEDIENCE TO ALLAH (SWT) IS NOT POSSIBLE UNLESS ONE OBEYS THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), AND THOSE WHOM THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) HAS DESIGNATED TO BE OBEYED, HIS BELOVED AHLUL BAYT.

r  Those who **watched the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), fighting his enemies in the battles, from a safe distance, as if having no interest in the outcome of the war, **so as to change sides at will and join the winners, or **at least run away from the scene of conflict to save their lives and properties, can never be included among the men nearest to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad); **as also those who opposed and killed his Ahlul Bayt.

THEY ARE THE WORST HYPOCRITES, HIS HIDDEN ENEMIES.

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(3:68) Surely the people who have the best claim to a relationship with Abraham are those who followed him in the past, and presently this Prophet and those who believe in him; Allah is the guardian of the men of faith.

وَدَّتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ {3:69}

[Q3:69] Waddat taaa'ifatum min Ahlil Kitaabi law yudil loonakum wa maa yudilloona illaaa anfusahum wa maa yash'uroon.
[Q3:69] A party of the followers of the Book desire that they should lead you astray, and they lead not astray but themselves, and they do not perceive.

[Q3:69] Segolongan dari Ahli Kitab suka dan berangan-angan kiranya mereka dapat menyesatkan kamu; padahal mereka tidak akan menyesatkan melainkan dirinya sendiri dan mereka pula tidak menyedari (akibat yang buruk itu).

Not content with their own corruption, some of the Jews had the ambition of seducing the Muslims, BUT their tricks had redounded upon themselves.

Ë  IT IS REPORTED that the Jews had approached Ammar Yasir and other faithful followers of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) to become Jews; HOWEVER they not only turned down their offer BUT ALSO kept them at arm's length.

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(3:69) A party of the People of the Book would fain lead you astray, whereas in truth they lead none astray except themselves, but they do not realize it.

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَأَنْتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ {3:70}

[Q3:70] Yaaa Ahlal Kitaabi lima takfuroona bi Aayaatil laahi wan antum tashadoon.
[Q3:70] O followers of the Book! Why do you disbelieve in the communications of ALLAH (SWT) while you witness (them)?

[Q3:70] Wahai Ahli Kitab! Mengapa kamu kufurkan (ingkarkan) ayat-ayat keterangan ALLAH (SwT) padahal kamu menyaksikan kebenaranNya?

ISLAM AWAKENS CONSCIENCE AND INVITES MAN to *USE REASON FOR BELIEVING IN THE SIGNS OF ALLAH (SWT) SO THAT HE FINDS OUT THE TRUTH.

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(3:70) O People of the Book! Why do you reject the signs of Allah even though you yourselves witness them? *60

*60. Another rendering of this could be, 'and you yourselves bear witness' to Muhammad's prophethood. However it is translated the sense remains the same. In fact, the impeccable purity of the life of the Prophet, the astounding impact of his teachings and training on the lives of his Companions, and the loftiness of the teachings of the Qur'an all constituted such illustrious signs of God that it was very difficult for anyone conversant with the lives of the Prophets and the tenor of Divine Scriptures to doubt the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be on him).
It is a fact that many Jews and Christians (especially their scholars) came, to recognize in their hearts that Muhammad was the very Prophet whose coming had been announced by the preceding Prophets. This fact was so overwhelming that, despite their intransigence, they could not help but give verbal expression, at times, to the truth of the Prophet's teachings. This is why the Qur'an repeatedly blames them for maliciously misrepresenting the signs of God which they saw with their own eyes and to which they themselves attested.