He has legislated for you in the religion the religion of Noah and Muhammad and those among the prophets in between them. Then he explained the legislation in which these prominent figures of His messengers participated by saying: 'Establish the religion and do not divide in it.' The intended meaning is the establishment of the religion of Islam, which is the oneness of Allah and obedience to Him, belief in His messengers and His books, and in the Day of Judgment, and all that makes a person a Muslim by establishing it. He did not mean the laws that are beneficial for nations according to their circumstances, for they are different and varied. Allah, the Exalted, said: 'For each, We have made a law and a method.' The phrase 'Establish the religion' may be an accusative in place of the object of 'legislated' and those conjoined with it, or it may be a nominative in a new sentence, as if it were said: 'And what is that legislation?' It was said: 'It is the establishment of the religion.' Similar to His saying: 'Indeed, this is your nation, one nation.' It is burdensome for the polytheists; it is great upon them and difficult for them what you call them to, from establishing the religion of Allah and the oneness. He gathers to Himself whom He wills from those who benefit from His guidance and bestows upon them kindness.