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fa-li-dhālika fa-dʿu wa-staqim ka-mā ʾumirta wa-lā tattabiʿ ʾahwāʾahum wa-qul ʾāmantu bi-mā ʾanzala llāhu min kitābin wa-ʾumirtu li-ʾaʿdila baynakumu llāhu rabbunā wa-rabbukum lanā ʾaʿmālunā wa-lakum ʾaʿmālukum lā ḥujjata baynanā wa-baynakumu llāhu yajmaʿu baynanā wa-ʾilayhi l-maṣīru
So summon to this [unity of religion], and be steadfast, just as you have been commanded, and do not follow their desires, and say, ‘I believe in whatever Book Allah has sent down. I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. Our deeds belong to us and your deeds belong to you. There is no quarrel between us and you. Allah will bring us together and toward Him is the destination.’
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah al-Shura - Verse 15
15. So unto this then invite [the people of the Book, O Muhammad! Since they are obdurate and stand in enmity against you] and stand firm as you are commanded, and follow not their desires but say: “I believe in whatsoever Allah ahs sent down of the Book and I am commanded to administer justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds [i.e., we are not responsible for each other’s deeds]. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will assemble us and to Him is the final return.
Administration of justice is the consequence of belief in certain values, e.g. acknowledgement of the Path of Truth and the injunctions of the Messengers of God Almighty, turning away from lusts and vain desires, belief in standing at Divine Tribunal on the Day of Resurrection, and receiving recompense befitting one’s deeds. Divine Injunction as to administration of justice and the aforesaid values are treated in the blessed Verse in question. The leader of the Muslim community is supposed to stand firm as to the tenets of his call rather than submit to people’s unlawful demands.
The blessed Verse is addressing the Noble Prophet (S) saying:
“O Muhammad! When the People of the Book entertain doubts as to the Divine source of the Revelation of the Holy Qur’an and your Divine Call owing to their illusions, do not desist from guiding them and propagation of the Islamic faith, but as per your Divine Call stand firm and strive hard on your way so that your doubts may turn into certainty. Do not follow their vain and concupiscent desires and speak according to their beliefs and ways.”
It is quoted from Tibyan that Mughayra asked the Noble Prophet (S) to desist from his call and he would grant half of his property to him in return. ‘Utba also asked the Noble Prophet (S) to desist from his call and he will marry his daughter to him. Thus, the blessed Verse was revealed. However, the blessed Verse is applicable in other issues as well. God Almighty says unto His Messenger (S):
“Say that you are submitted to My Command and I shall act according to Qur’anic Injunctions since you are appointed to judge amongst them with justice.”
The blessed Verse is apparently saying that the Noble Prophet (S) is appointed to establish harmony and consensus amongst people such that they all stand firm as to the true religion. Following imparting the Divine Message unto people and stood firm in imparting Divine Guidance and tolerated their wrong doing patiently but lost his hope in guiding them, he said:
“Your Lord and My Lord is Allah. We shall bear the consequences of our deeds as you shall bear yours. Now that you are provided with Divine decisive Argument, there remains no excuse for you in this world. There should exist neither enmity nor debates between us.
God Almighty shall assemble us on the Day of Resurrection and He shall judge between us and to Him shall return all things.”