And say to My servants, and say to the believers, to speak to the polytheists with the word that is best and gentler, and do not be harsh with them. As He said: And argue with them in a way that is best. The word that is best is explained by His saying: Your Lord knows you. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, or if He wills, He will punish you. This means that they should say to them this word and similar ones, and not say to them: You are of the people of the Fire, and you are being punished, and things like that which provoke and incite them to evil. And His saying: Indeed, Satan causes discord among them, is an interruption. It means that he spreads corruption among them and incites some against others so that disputes and enmity arise among them. And We did not send you as a guardian over them, meaning that you are not responsible for their affairs to compel them to Islam and force them upon it. Rather, We sent you as a bearer of good news and a warner. So, be lenient with them and command your companions to be accommodating and patient, and to avoid confrontation and revealing their faults. This was before the revelation of the verse of the sword. It is said that it was revealed concerning Umar, may Allah be pleased with him: A man insulted him, and Allah commanded him to pardon. It is also said that the polytheists were excessively harming the Muslims, so they complained to the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, and this was revealed. It is said that the best word is to say: May Allah guide you, may Allah have mercy on you. And Talhah read: 'yanzugh' with a kasra, and both are linguistic variations, similar to 'ya'raishun' and 'ya'raishun'.