Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you (O
Muhammad Peace be upon him ) till you follow their
religion. Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allâh (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism)
that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him ) were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires
after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur'ân), then you would
have against Allâh neither any Walî (protector or guardian) nor any helper. (120) Those
(who embraced Islâm from Banî Israel)
to whom We gave the Book [the Taurât (Torah)] [or those (Muhammad's Peace be
upon him companions) to whom We have given the Book (the Qur'ân)] recite it
(i.e. obey its orders and follow its teachings) as it should be recited (i.e.
followed), they are the ones that believe therein. And whoso disbelieves in it
(the Qur'ân), those are they who are the losers. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî.) (121) O Children of Israel!
Remember My Favour which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you to the 'Alamîn
(mankind and jinn) (of your time-period, in the past). (122) And
fear the Day (of Judgement) when no person shall avail another, nor shall
compensation be accepted from him, nor shall intercession be of use to him, nor
shall they be helped. (123) And (remember) when the Lord of
Ibrâhim (Abraham) [i.e., Allâh] tried him with (certain) Commands, which he
fulfilled. He (Allâh) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you Imam
(a leader) for mankind (to follow you)." [Ibrâhim (Abraham)] said,
"And of my offspring (to make leaders)." (Allâh) said, "My
Covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zâlimûn (polytheists and
wrong-doers)." (124) And (remember) when We made the
House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of
safety. And take you (people) the Maqâm (place) of Ibrâhim (Abraham) [or the
stone on which Ibrâhim (Abraham) A.S. stood while he was building the Ka'bah]
as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak'at after the Tawâf
of the Ka'bah at Makkah), and We commanded Ibrâhim (Abraham) and Ismâ'il
(Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) for those who
are circumambulating it, or staying (I'tikâf), or bowing or prostrating
themselves (there, in prayer). (125) And (remember) when Ibrâhim (Abraham) said,
"My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its
people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allâh and the Last Day." He
(Allâh) answered: "As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in
contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of the Fire,
and worst indeed is that destination!" (126)