His saying, exalted and majestic is He:

"And He is the One who gives you life, then causes you to die, then brings you to life. Indeed, man is truly ungrateful." "For every nation We have appointed a rite which they observe. So let them not dispute with you concerning the matter, and invite to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon a straight guidance." "And if they argue with you, say, 'Allah knows best what you do.'" "Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection concerning that in which you used to differ."

The giving of life and causing death in this verse has three levels, and the first death which is mentioned in other verses has been omitted here, although it is implied in this context. And "the rite" is the source, meaning worship and legislation, and it is also the place of the ritual. A group recited it with the opening of the 's', and another group recited it with a kasrah. The explanation of it has already been mentioned in this surah. And His saying, exalted and majestic is He: "they observe" indicates that "the rite" is the source. If it were the place, He would have said: "they perform it." A group narrated that this verse was revealed because of the argument of the disbelievers regarding the matter of sacrifices, and their saying to the believers: "You eat what you have slaughtered, and it is from your killing, and you do not eat what Allah has killed from the dead animals." Thus, the verse was revealed because of this dispute. And His saying, exalted and majestic is He: "So let them not dispute with you concerning the matter." This evidence of action and prohibition carries the meaning of intimidation and also carries the meaning of contempt for the doer, as he is less than to engage in action. This is the meaning in this verse. Abu Ishaq said: The meaning is: "So do not dispute with them, lest they dispute with you."

Qadi Abu Muhammad - may Allah have mercy on him - said:

And this estimation which has been made is only good with the meaning of intimidation. It is only good to estimate here the meaning: "So do not begin them with your dispute," for the prohibition is intended to mean something other than the wording, as is intended in their saying: "Do not let me see you here," meaning: "Do not be here." A group recited: "So let them not take you away." And His saying, exalted and majestic is He: "concerning the matter" means - according to the interpretation - that "the rite" is the legislation: do not dispute with you concerning the religion and the Book and similar matters. And according to the narration that the verse was revealed regarding the sacrifices, then "the matter" would be the slaughter. And "guidance" in this verse means direction.

And His saying, exalted and majestic is He: "And if they argue with you" - this verse is purely conciliatory, abrogated by the verse of the sword, and the rest of the verse is a warning.