Sura-2 [Al-Baqara medina 87]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ...

2:256. Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error;

... فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا...

whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks.

Transliteration Alla_hu waliyyul lazina a_manu_ yukhrijuhum minaz zuluma_ti ilan nu_r(i), wallazina klafaru_ auliya_'uhumut ta_gu_tuyukhriju_nahum minan nu_ri ilaz zuluma_t(i), ula_'ika asha_bun na_r(i) hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).

Asad’s version

2:256 THERE SHALL BE no coercion in matters of faith. 249 Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil 250 and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all- hearing, all-knowing.

Pickthall There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.

[[Asad’s notes –

249 The term din denotes both the contents of and the compliance with a morally binding law; consequently, it signifies "religion" in the widest sense of this term, extending over all that pertains to its doctrinal contents and their practical implications, as well as to man's attitude towards the object of his worship, thus comprising also the concept of "faith". The rendering of din as "religion", "faith", "religious law" or "moral law" (see note 3 on 109:6) depends on the context in which this term is used. - On the strength of the above categorical prohibition of coercion (ikrah) in anything that pertains to faith or religion, all Islamic jurists (fuqaha), without any exception, hold that forcible conversion is under all circumstances null and void, and that any attempt at coercing a non-believer to accept the faith of Islam is a grievous sin: a verdict which disposes of the widespread fallacy that Islam places before the unbelievers the alternative of "conversion or the sword".

250 At-taghut denotes, primarily, anything that is worshipped instead of God and, thus, all that may turn man away from God and lead him to evil. It has both a singular and a plural significance (Razi) and is, therefore, best rendered as "the powers of evil". ]]

[ Ali’s notes: 300 Compulsion is incompatible with religion; because 1) religion depends upon faith and will, and these would be meaningless if induced by force; 2) Truth and Error have been so clearly shown up by the mercy of God that there should be no doubt in the minds of any persons of goodwill as to the fundamentals of faith; 3) God's protection is continuous and His Plan is always to lead us from the depths of darkness into the clearest light. (2.256)

301 Hand-hold: something which the hands can grasp for safety in a moment of danger. It may be a loop or a handle, or anchor. If it is without flaw, so that there is no danger of breaking, our safety is absolutely assured so long as we hold fast to it. Our safety then depends on our own will and faith; God's help and protection will always be unfailing if we hold firmly to God and trust in Him. (2.256)