138. The one principle that the Prophet and his followers unreservedly stood
for was that God alone should be served. Does that call for dispute and quarrel?
If anyone, it is the Muslims who are entitled to quarrel with the Jews and Christians,
for it is they rather than the Muslims who insist that others beside God should
also be made objects of service and adoration.
An alternative translation of this portion could be: 'Would you then dispute
with us for the sake of Allah?' In this case the meaning of the verse would
be that if their dispute was sincere, it was easy to put an end to it by, agreeing
to serve none but God.
139. They are told that everyone is responsible for his own conduct. If they have earmarked a part of their service and devotion to others than God, let them do so and see for themselves what it leads to. The Muslims did not want to keep them from error by force. As for themselves, they had consecrated their service, obedience and worship to God alone. If the Jews and Christians could bring themselves to recognize the right of the Muslims to do so, the dispute could automatically be brought to an end,