ONE AYAT A DAY
وَقَالُوْا لَنْ يَّدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ اِلَّا مَنْ كَانَ هُوْدًا اَوْ نَصٰرٰى ۗ تِلْكَ اَمَانِيُّهُمْ ۗ قُلْ هَاتُوْا بُرْهَانَكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِيْنَ
Wa qālū lay yadkhulal-jannata illā man kāna hūdan au naṣārā, tilka amāniyyuhum, qul hātū burhānakum in kuntum ṣādiqīn(a).
And they say, "None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian." That is [merely] their wishful thinking. Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."
The Hopes of the People of the BookAllah made the confusion of the Jews and the Christians clear, since they claim that no one will enter Paradise, unless he is a Jew or a Christian. Similarly, Allah mentioned their claims in Surat Al-Ma'idah:نَحْنُ أَبْنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّاؤُهُ(We are the children of Allah and His loved ones) (5:18).Allah refuted this false claim and informed them that they will be punished because of their sins. Previously we mentioned their claim that the Fire would not touch them for more than a few days, after which they would be put in Paradise. Allah rebuked this claim, and He said about this baseless claim, mتِلْكَ أَمَانِيُّهُمْ(These are their own desires). Abu Al-`Aliyah commented, "These are wishes that they wished Allah would answer, without basis." Similar was stated by Qatadah and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas. Allah then said,قُلْ(Say) meaning, "Say O Muhammad:"هَاتُواْ بُرْهَـنَكُمْ("Produce your Burhan...") meaning, "Your proof", as Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, As-Suddi and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas stated. Qatadah said that the Ayah means, "Bring the evidence that supports your statement,إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ(if you are truthful) in your claim. "Allah then said,بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ(Yes! But whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin) meaning, "Whoever perfo…