So if they argue with you, say, "I have submitted myself to Allāh [in Islām], and [so have] those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the unlearned,1 "Have you submitted yourselves?" And if they submit [in Islām], they are rightly guided; but if they turn away - then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allāh is Seeing of [His] servants.
وَٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَand the unlettered peoplewal-umiyīna
ءَأَسۡلَمۡتُمۡۚHave you submitted yourselvesa-aslamtum
فَإِنۡThen iffa-in
أَسۡلَمُواْthey submitaslamū
فَقَدِthen surelyfaqadi
ٱهۡتَدَواْۖthey are guidedih'tadaw
وَّإِنBut ifwa-in
تَوَلَّوۡاْthey turn backtawallaw
فَإِنَّمَاthen onlyfa-innamā
عَلَيۡكَon youʿalayka
ٱلۡبَلَٰغُۗ(is) to [the] conveyl-balāghu
وَٱللَّهُAnd Allahwal-lahu
بَصِيرُۢ(is) All-Seerbaṣīrun
بِٱلۡعِبَادِof [His] slavesbil-ʿibādi
Tafsir
If they argue with you, O Messenger, about the truth that has been revealed to you, then say to them in reply, ‘I and the believers who follow me have submitted to Allah’. Also, say, O Messenger, to the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, ‘Do you submit to Allah sincerely, following what I have brought?’ If they submit to Allah and follow your sacred law, then they are on the path of guidance. If they turn away from Islam, then your duty is only to give your message to them; then Allah will decide about them. He watches His servants and will reward them according to their actions.