World Peace

Qur’an (Quran) 2:255: Muhammad Sarwar English Translation: “God exists. There is no God but He, the Everlasting and the Guardian of life. Drowsiness or sleep do not seize him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. No one can intercede with Him for others except by His permission. He knows about people’s present and past. No one can grasp anything from His knowledge besides what He has permitted them to grasp. The heavens and the earth are under His dominion. He does not experience fatigue in preserving them both. He is the Highest and the Greatest.”

Qur’an (Quran) 2:256: Muhammad Sarwar English Translation: “There is no compulsion in religion. Certainly, right has become clearly distinct from wrong. Whoever rejects the devil and believes in God has firmly taken hold of a strong handle that never breaks. God is All-hearing and knowing.”

What does Qur’an (Quran) 2:256 mean?

GoogleAI Mode: “Qur’an 2:256, famously beginning with the phrase “Let there be no compulsion in religion,” is widely regarded as a foundational verse establishing the principle of religious freedom in Islam. 

1. Primary Meaning: Freedom of Choice 

The verse explicitly forbids the use of force or coercion to convert people to Islam. 

Self-Evidence of Truth: The text states that “the right course has become clear from the wrong” (qad tabayyan al-rushd min al-ghayy). This implies that the truth of the message is so evident through reason and evidence that physical force is unnecessary and counterproductive.

Sincerity of Faith: True faith (Iman) is a matter of the heart and conscience. Coercion cannot produce genuine belief; it can only produce outward hypocrisy, which is spiritually valueless. 

2. Historical Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)

Early commentators link the revelation of this verse to specific events in Medina involving the Ansar (the Helpers): 

Protecting Family Identity: Some families in Medina had children who were raised as Jews or Christians due to pre-Islamic vows. When these children were about to leave the city with their respective tribes (such as the Banu an-Nadir), their parents wanted to force them to become Muslim to stay. This verse was revealed to prohibit such force, protecting the children’s right to their chosen faith. 

3. Key Theological Components

The Unbreakable Handle: The verse describes those who reject Taghut (false deities, tyranny, or anything worshipped besides God) and believe in God as having grasped a “trustworthy handhold” that will never break.

The Nature of Taghut: In Islamic terminology, Taghut refers to anything that exceeds its legitimate limits, such as Satan or human leaders who arrogate divine authority to themselves. 

4. Scholarly Interpretations and Scope

While the verse is a general command, scholars have historically discussed its specific application: 

Universal Principle: Most classical and contemporary scholars (including Ibn Taymiyya, Al-Tabari, and Al-Suyuti) view it as a permanent, non-abrogated rule that applies to all people.

Non-Abrogation: While some early scholars argued it might be “abrogated” by later verses concerning war, the majority view is that it is muhkam (decisive) and governs how the message is delivered: through wisdom and clear communication, not violence.

Jizya Framework: Historically, this principle formed the legal basis for the Dhimmi status, allowing Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians to live under Muslim rule while maintaining their own religious laws and practices. 

You can read various translations and commentaries on the verse at Quran.com.”