وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ نَّحْنُ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ فَهَلْ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
6:149; 43:21.
5:93,100; 24:55; 29:19; 36:18.
Commentary:
In this verse a very common but very foolish objection of disbelievers has been mentioned, viz. if God had disapproved of their beliefs and actions, He should have weaned them by force from their idolatrous doctrines and deeds. Since He has not done so, it shows that He does not disapprove of them. Before proceeding to give a detailed answer in the next verse to this manifestly absurd contention, the Quran gives a general answer in this verse. The verse purports to say that if it had been the will of God to use force, His Prophets would have forced disbelievers to give up their idolatrous beliefs and evil practices. But not a single instance is on
record of a Prophet having employed force for the propagation of his religion and for compelling people to believe in him.
6:149; 43:21.
5:93, 100; 24:55; 29:19; 36:18.