So if they argue with you, if they debate you in the religion, say, 'I have submitted my face to Allah,' meaning I have dedicated my soul and entirety to Allah alone, without associating anything with Him by worshipping Him and calling upon Him as a deity alongside Him. This means that my religion is monotheism, which is the ancient religion that has been established as true with you just as it has been established with me. I have not brought anything new for you to debate me about. And similar to this is His saying, 'Say, O People of the Book, come to a word that is equitable between us and you, that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him.' This is a refutation of the argument, as what he and those with him among the believers are upon is the certain truth that has no ambiguity in it. So what is the meaning of arguing about it? And 'whoever follows me' is an addition to the 'I have submitted' and is good for the separation. It is permissible that the 'and' means 'with,' making it an object alongside it. And say to those who were given the Book, from the Jews and Christians, and the unlettered ones, and those who have no Book among the polytheists of the Arabs, 'Have you submitted?' meaning that clear signs have come to you that necessitate Islam and require its occurrence without a doubt. So have you submitted or are you still upon your disbelief? This is like saying to someone to whom you have clarified the matter and have left no path of explanation and revelation except that you have taken it: 'Did you understand it or not?' And from it is His saying, 'So will you not desist?' after mentioning the deterrents from wine and gambling. In this inquiry is a calling out of the addressee for being deficient. And it is a reproach for stubbornness and lack of fairness, for the fair-minded person, when the proof is made clear to him, does not hesitate in his submission to the truth. And for stubbornness, after the proof has been made clear, there are barriers that strike between him and submission. And likewise in: 'Did you understand it?' is a reproach for dullness and lack of intellect. And in: 'So will you not desist?' is a calling out for retirement from ceasing and a strong desire to engage in what has been prohibited. So if they submit, they have certainly been guided; they have benefited themselves by coming out of misguidance to guidance and from darkness to light. And if they turn away, they will not harm you, for you are a Messenger, and it is upon you to convey the message and to guide them to the path of guidance.