سورة البَقَرَة
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256
The Cow · Verse 256 of 286
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَدْ تَبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انْفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Abdul Mannan Omar
There is no compulsion of any sort in religion (as) the right way does stand obviously distinguished from the way of error. Now he that shall reject the transgressor and accepts Allâh (let such know that he) has laid hold of a support firm and strong which knows no breaking. Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.
Ahmed Ali
There is no compulsion in matter of faith. Distinct is the way of guidance now from error. He who turns away from the forces of evil and believes in God, will surely hold fast to a handle that is strong and unbreakable, for God hears all and knows everything.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
There is no compulsion in the Religion. The right way stands there clearly distinguished from the false. Hence he who rejects the taghut (false deities, and powers of evil who institute patterns of faith and rule in defiance of God) and believes in God (as the only God, Lord and Object of Worship) has indeed taken hold of the firm, unbreakable handle; and God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Daryabadi
No constraint is there in the religion; surely rectitude hath become manifestly distinguished from the error. Whosoever then disbelieveth in the devil and believeth in Allah, hath of a surety rain hold of the firm cable whereof there is no giving way. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
Faridul Haque
There is no compulsion at all in religion; undoubtedly the right path has become very distinct from error; and whoever rejects faith in the devil (false deities) and believes in Allah has grasped a very firm handhold; it will never loosen; and Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing.
Maulana Muhammad Ali
There is no compulsion in religion -- the right way is indeed clearly distinct from error. So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah, he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
Maulvi Sher Ali
There is no compulsion in religion. Surely the right has become distinct from error; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress and believes in ALLAH, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And ALLAH is All-Hearing. All-Knowing.
Muhammad Asad
THERE SHALL BE no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing.
Muhammad Musin Khan
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
Muhammad Pickthall
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
Muhammad Sarwar
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.
Muhammed ali Shakir
There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
Rashad Khalifa
There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
Shabbir Ahmed
(Although this message has been sent down by the Almighty) there is absolutely no compulsion or coercion in Religion. The right direction has been made distinct from error. So, whoever rejects false gods (such as the clergy, human ‘authorities’) and attains conviction in God, has grasped the Unbreakable Support. God is Hearer, Knower.
Commentary 2:256 Al-Dîn الدِّينِ is religious law, faith, or religion (cf. 3:19). Ikrâh إِكْرَاهَ is derived from kariha meaning to be unwilling, feel aversion, be…
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ
2:256 Al-Dîn الدِّينِ is religious law, faith, or religion (cf. 3:19). Ikrâh إِكْرَاهَ is derived from kariha meaning to be unwilling, feel aversion, be disagreeable, or against ones will. Ikrâh إِكْرَاهَ is to compel a person to a thing against his will; Ikrahun is compulsion. “There is no compulsion of any sort in religion”لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ is a clear injunction. The enforcement of “Religion” (al-Dîn الدِّينِ), refers to the enforcement of its laws; the so-called "Sharî‘a Laws" against the will of its subjects. Such enforcement is against the very spirit of this verse. A state has its constitution, and its laws and the violation of those laws carries the risk of punishment. However, when a state enforces a law in the name of religion of Islam, it is called the “Sharî‘a Law”. According to this verse, its violation cannot be punished because it becomes a religious compulsion. Allâh says there should not be any religious compulsion. Here is a strong point to reflect for those who want to install punishable “Sharî‘a Law”.
Similarly, conversion by force means to confess Islam without being convinced in heart. This brings the person into a state of hypocrisy (cf. 2:8). It is not possible that the Holy Qur’ân denounces hypocrisy (cf. 2:9-10) but allows forced conversion. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) conformed fully to this principle on all occasions whenever he overpowered his foes. When he entered Makkah victorious, he told them, “This day there is no reproof against you. Go! You are free.” It is reported by Ibn Ishâq that one of the Ansâr of Madînah had two sons who were Christians and would not accept Islam. He came to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and asked whether he should force them to accept Islam. It was on this occasion that this verse was revealed.
Going astray from the right path is ghayya الْغَيِّ. If there is no compulsion in matters of religion, there cannot be any punishment for ghayya الْغَيِّ. This verse is frequently quoted but seldom understood. Ibn Athîr, while commenting on this verse, sums up its meaning in the following words: "You do not need to force anyone to accept Islam and follow its rules, as it is so manifest and clear, and arguments and reasoning in its favour are so powerful and convincing that there is no need of any force. Whosoever receives guidance from Allâh, opens his breast to the truth, and possesses the wisdom to understand the arguments in this Book will accept it voluntarily. And if a person is so blind as not to see any reason, his acceptance of Islam is useless." This message is also supported by verse 10:99 that states, “And if your Lord had enforced His will, those who are on earth would have believed one and all”. There are other verses in the Holy Qur’ân, which convey the same message (cf. 18:29; 26:3-4; 76:3; 6:105; 17:7).