3:18
There is no god but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise Allah is One and Justice Prevails due to Him
Regarding the expression “Allah (God) witnesses,” the authors of The Study Quran explain that God is described as the ultimate Witness because His existence precedes all creation, as reflected in the well-known ḥadīth stating that God existed when nothing else did. Throughout the Qur’an, divine witnessing is emphasized, such as in verses that portray God and the angels as bearing testimony to revelation and truth (Nasr et al., 2015). In this framework, God’s witnessing signifies absolute knowledge, presence, and authority over all existence.
Similarly, Ali Ünal (2015) notes that the phrase “the angels and those of knowledge” highlights how the entire cosmos testifies to divine unity. Every element of creation—from the smallest particles to vast galaxies—serves as evidence of a single Creator possessing perfect knowledge, will, and power. The order and function of the universe are therefore presented as signs that affirm the oneness of God.
Classical exegetical commentary further explains the phrase “maintaining in justice (qisṭ)” as referring to God’s continuous establishment of balance, equity, and harmony throughout creation. According to Tafsir as-Saranbi, divine justice is manifested in the precise equilibrium governing the natural world, such as the Earth’s suitable conditions for life and the complex biological balances within the human body (Saranbi, n.d.). These examples illustrate that justice in the Qur’anic sense extends beyond legal fairness to encompass the cosmic order that sustains existence itself.
3:19
The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. Butif any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account.
He cannot attain salvation who does not believe in the Messenger of Allah and profess the religion brought by him
see also: God is the Lord of All Religions
7:159 and “Who are ‘People of the
Book’? – 2:4
(8/8) Abu Hurayrah (RA) has related that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, a201 Jew or a Christian of the present Ummah who hears about me and, yet, dies without affirming faith in the religion brought by me will, surely, be among the dwellers of Hell.” (Muslim)
Islamic scholarship explains that references to Jews and Christians in certain prophetic traditions are intended to illustrate a broader theological principle concerning faith and salvation. These discussions emphasize that, after the advent of the Prophet Muhammad, acceptance of his prophethood and adherence to the Islamic law (Shariʿah) are considered essential for salvation for those who have received and understood his message. According to this interpretation, individuals who are aware of the Prophet’s message yet choose not to accept it are regarded as having rejected the final revelation, even if they follow earlier scriptures such as the Torah or the Gospel (Badr Aalam).
A tradition attributed to ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿud relates that a man once asked the Prophet Muhammad about a Christian who faithfully followed the Gospel and a Jew who adhered to the teachings of the Torah while believing in God and His messengers but not accepting the Prophet Muhammad or the Islamic law. The Prophet is reported to have responded that those who receive knowledge of his message yet refuse to follow it would not attain salvation. This teaching is often connected to Qur’anic passages such as Qur’an 3:31, which calls believers to follow the Prophet as an expression of devotion to God. At the same time, Islamic theology maintains that individuals who have never received or understood the message of Islam are not held accountable for failing to accept it (Badr Aalam, n.d.).
3:20
So if they dispute with thee, say: “I have submitted My whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me.” And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: “Do ye (also) submit yourselves?” If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, Thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah’s sight are (all) His servants.
References:
As Saranbi, Abduraheem (2019). Tafsir As-Saranbi. (p. 75-76).
Nasr, Hossein (2015). Study Quran.
Unal, Ali (2006). The Quran with Annotated Interpretation in Modern English. (p. 161, note 3)