سُوْرَةُ الْعَنْكَبُوْتِ
Surah Al-Ankaboot (29) — Ayah 46
۞ وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَـٰهُنَا وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ وَٰحِدٌ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿46﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islâmic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilâh (God) and your Ilâh (God) is One (i.e. Allâh), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ وَلَا
walā
And (do) not
تُجَـٰدِلُوٓا۟
tujādilū
argue
أَهْلَ
ahla
(with the) People of the Book
ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ
l-kitābi
(with the) People of the Book
إِلَّا
illā
except
بِٱلَّتِى
bi-allatī
by which
هِىَ
hiya
[it]
أَحْسَنُ
aḥsanu
(is) best
إِلَّا
illā
except
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
ظَلَمُوا۟
ẓalamū
(do) wrong
مِنْهُمْ ۖ
min'hum
among them
وَقُولُوٓا۟
waqūlū
and say
ءَامَنَّا
āmannā
We believe
بِٱلَّذِىٓ
bi-alladhī
in that (which)
أُنزِلَ
unzila
has been revealed
إِلَيْنَا
ilaynā
to us
وَأُنزِلَ
wa-unzila
and was revealed
إِلَيْكُمْ
ilaykum
to you
وَإِلَـٰهُنَا
wa-ilāhunā
And our God
وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ
wa-ilāhukum
and your God
وَٰحِدٌۭ
wāḥidun
(is) One
وَنَحْنُ
wanaḥnu
and we
لَهُۥ
lahu
to Him
مُسْلِمُونَ
mus'limūna
submit
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
46. (O Muslims!) Do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner [76], except with those of them who act unjustly [77]. And say: "We believe in what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to you, and our God [78] and your God is One, and to Him we submit."
[76]
One Should Acknowledge the Truth Present Among the People of the Book:
That is, the religion of the polytheists is entirely false. However, the religion of the People of the Book was true in its origin. Therefore, your manner of debate with them should be different from that with the polytheists. And you should acknowledge whatever truth exists in their religions. Then, from the point where disagreement arises, you should explain to them with gentleness, dignity, and a spirit of goodwill. The manner of debate should not be such that you try to show the other as entirely wrong and inferior. Rather, you should adopt such a method that it becomes easy for them to admit their mistake.
[77] By unjust or oppressive people are meant those who consider religious prejudice to be the greatest value, and who become stubborn and obstinate, just as among the Jews of Madinah were Ka'b bin Ashraf and Abu Rafi' Salam bin Abi al-Huqaiq, and among the polytheists of Makkah were Abu Jahl and his companions.
[78] How to Debate with Others? In this verse, Allah Himself has explained the manner of debate. That is, mention first those matters in which there is agreement and conformity between both parties, and thus incline them towards yourself. It should not be that, at the outset, you bring up contentious issues and make the opposing party even more opposed to you. That is, your speech should be sweet and your manner of conversation should be such, with a tone of advice, that instead of becoming annoyed, they become inclined to accept what is being said.
[76]
One Should Acknowledge the Truth Present Among the People of the Book:
That is, the religion of the polytheists is entirely false. However, the religion of the People of the Book was true in its origin. Therefore, your manner of debate with them should be different from that with the polytheists. And you should acknowledge whatever truth exists in their religions. Then, from the point where disagreement arises, you should explain to them with gentleness, dignity, and a spirit of goodwill. The manner of debate should not be such that you try to show the other as entirely wrong and inferior. Rather, you should adopt such a method that it becomes easy for them to admit their mistake.
[77] By unjust or oppressive people are meant those who consider religious prejudice to be the greatest value, and who become stubborn and obstinate, just as among the Jews of Madinah were Ka'b bin Ashraf and Abu Rafi' Salam bin Abi al-Huqaiq, and among the polytheists of Makkah were Abu Jahl and his companions.
[78] How to Debate with Others? In this verse, Allah Himself has explained the manner of debate. That is, mention first those matters in which there is agreement and conformity between both parties, and thus incline them towards yourself. It should not be that, at the outset, you bring up contentious issues and make the opposing party even more opposed to you. That is, your speech should be sweet and your manner of conversation should be such, with a tone of advice, that instead of becoming annoyed, they become inclined to accept what is being said.
