The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 402
CH. 2 257. "There should be AL-BAQARAH no compulsion in religion. Surely, E PT. 3 لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَدْ تَبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرُ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنُ right has become distinct from بِاللهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى be led by those who transgress لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ wrong; so whosoever refuses to and believes in Allah bhas surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is Knowing 263 All-Hearing, All- "10:100; 11:119; 18:30; 76:4. 31:23. answer to an verse supplies an implied question. Even if Muslims made the sacrifices required of them in 2:255, the task before them was so great that, based on worldly calculations, there appeared no hope of success for them. How then is the promised victory to come? The verse under comment provides a telling answer. The world was not without a Master. The destinies of its people were controlled by a Being Whose power was limitless, Whose knowledge knew no bounds, Who was ever vigilant, ever watchful, in Whose hands were the entire resources of the earth and the heavens. If such a Being willed the triumph of a party, who was there to thwart His way? The promised victory must come. For a detailed treatment of the subject of intercession see note on 2:49. The reason why no one shall be allowed to intercede for any person except with the permission of God is that nobody knows what is in the minds of men and consequently none 402 is in a position to intercede for another. God alone knows the secrets of men's hearts and hence there can be no intercession except by His permission, for He alone knows who is deserving of it. The clause, they encompass nothing of His knowledge, means that God's knowledge is unlimited; while the knowledge of others, whoever they may be, is limited; even Prophets know no more than what is apparent of the spiritual condition of their followers. The word 5 (knowledge) may signify either knowledge or power; both give equally good meanings and are almost equally applicable. Allah's knowledge is as extensive as His power. Knowledge and power are indeed the two great pillars on which the throne of God and, for that matter, the controlling power of everyone in authority rests. 263. Important Words: those who transgress) is) الطاغوت derived from bi. e. he transgressed; he exceeded the just limit. Hence