Punishment of Apostacy in Islam — Page 22
22 public is their god. God Almighty has here said that He has not bestowed upon anyone the authority to force people away from their inclinations. In the commentary Ruhul Bayan this verse is interpreted as meaning that God has not appointed the Holy Prophet a guardian who should hold back people from polytheism and from sins. God has here told the Holy Prophet: I have not committed to thee the function of safeguarding people against paganism and sins. They are free to act as they wish; thy business is only to warn. It is for them to accept or to reject. Thy business is to tell them that the Unity of God is the foundation of the universe and to furnish them with reasons and signs. It is not thy business to safeguard them against polytheism. Thus it was not the responsibility of the Holy Prophet that people should not set up partners with Allah and should not commit sins. Imam Razi in his Tafseer Kabir has said that this verse means: Thou hast not been appointed a guardian over such a person to prevent him from following his inclinations. We have not so directed thee, nor have We given thee the power or the authority or made thee a guardian over them, so that thou mayest safeguard them against following their evil desires. This is the same as has been said at another place: Thou art not appointed a guardian over them, that is to say, thou hast not been appointed to force them to conform to what thou mayest will, namely, to accept the Light and the Truth that thou hast seen. Thou art not appointed to compel anyone to believe, as God has said: Thou art not appointed a despot over them; and has said: There is no compulsion in religion; meaning: Muhammad, you are not at