Surah Al Anbiya Tafseer

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا

But if they turn away,

means, if they ignore that to which you call them.

فَقُلْ اذَنتُكُمْ عَلَى سَوَاء

say:"I give you a notice to be known to us all alike..."

meaning, `I declare that I am in a state of war with you as you are in a state of war with me. I have nothing to do with you just as you have nothing to do with me.'

This is like the Ayah:

وَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل لِّى عَمَلِى وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ أَنتُمْ بَرِييُونَ مِمَّأ أَعْمَلُ وَأَنَاْ بَرِىءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

And if they belie you, say:"For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do!" (10:41)

وَإِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِن قَوْمٍ خِيَانَةً فَانبِذْ إِلَيْهِمْ عَلَى سَوَاءٍ

If you fear treachery from any people, throw back (their covenant) to them (so as to be) on equal terms (that there will be no more covenant between you and them). (8:58)

which means:so that both you and they will know that the treaty is null and void.

Similarly, Allah says here:

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقُلْ اذَنتُكُمْ عَلَى سَوَاء

But if they turn away say:"I give you a notice to be known to us all alike..."

meaning, `I have already informed you that I have nothing to do with you and you have nothing to do with me.'

No one knows when the Hour will come

And He (Muhammad) says:

وَإِنْ أَدْرِي أَقَرِيبٌ أَم بَعِيدٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ

And I know not whether that which you are promised (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) is near or far.

meaning:`it will inevitably come to pass, but I have no knowledge of whether it is near or far.'

إِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْجَهْرَ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْتُمُونَ