ONE AYAT A DAY
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُوْدُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصٰرٰى عَلٰى شَيْءٍۖ وَّقَالَتِ النَّصٰرٰى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُوْدُ عَلٰى شَيْءٍۙ وَّهُمْ يَتْلُوْنَ الْكِتٰبَۗ كَذٰلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۚ فَاللّٰهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ فِيْمَا كَانُوْا فِيْهِ يَخْتَلِفُوْنَ
Wa qālatil-yahūdu laisatin-naṣārā ‘alā syai'(in), wa qālatin-naṣārā laisatil-yahūdu ‘alā syai'(in), wa hum yatlūnal-kitāb(a), każālika qālal-lażīna lā ya‘lamūna miṡla qaulihim, fallāhu yaḥkumu bainahum yaumal-qiyāmati fīmā kānū fīhi yakhtalifūn(a).
The Jews say, "The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they [both] recite the Scripture. Thus do those who know not [i.e., the polytheists] speak the same as their words. But Allāh will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
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…