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Surah 2. Al-Baqara

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2:126
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنًا وَٱرْزُقْ أَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ مِنْهُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۖ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُۥ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُۥٓ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ Wai th q a la ibr a heemu rabbi ijAAal h atha baladan a minan wa o rzuq ahlahu mina a l ththamar a ti man a mana minhum bi A ll a hi wa a lyawmi al a khiri q a la waman kafara faomattiAAuhu qaleelan thumma a dt arruhu il a AAa tha bi a l nn a ri wabisa alma s eer u
And, lo, Abraham prayed: "O my Sustainer! Make this a land secure, and grant its people fruitful sustenance - such of them as believe in God and the Last Day." [God] answered: "And whoever shall deny the truth, him will I let enjoy himself for a short while - but in the end I shall drive him to suffering through fire: and how vile a journey's end!"
  - Mohammad Asad
Ibrahim said: "My Rabb make this (Makkah) a secure town and provide its people with plenty of food from fruits, those of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day." He answered, "As for those who do not, I shall also provide for them in this life, though in the Hereafter I shall drag them to the torture of Hellfire and it is an evil destination indeed!"
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
And 'remember' when Abraham said, 'My Lord, make this city 'of Mecca' secure and provide fruits to its people- those among them who believe in Allah and the Last Day.' He answered, 'As for those who disbelieve, I will let them enjoy themselves for a little while, then I will condemn them to the torment of the Fire. What an evil destination!'
  - Mustafa Khattab
And when Abraham prayed: My Lord! Make this a region of security and bestow upon its people fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day, He answered: As for him who disbelieveth, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the doom of fire--a hapless journey's end!
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
And remember Abraham said: "My Lord make this a City of Peace and feed its people with fruits such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea) and such as reject faith for a while will I grant them their pleasure but will soon drive them to the torment of fire an evil destination (indeed)!" 127 128
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The root salama in the word Islam implies (among other ideas) the idea of Peace, and therefore when Mecca is the city of Islam, it is also the City of Peace. The same root occurs in the latter part of the name Jerusalem, the Jewish City of Peace. When the day of Jerusalem passed (see verse 134 or 141 below), Mecca became the "New Jerusalem" - or rather the old and original "City of Peace" restored and made universal.

The territory of Mecca is barren and rocky, compared with, say Taif, a city 70-75 miles east of Mecca. A prayer for the prosperity of Mecca therefore includes a prayer for the good things of material life. This is the literal meaning. But note that the opposition in this verse is between the fruits of the Garden for the righteous and the torments of the Fire for the evil ones - a spiritual allegory of great force and aptness.

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2:127
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ Wai th yarfaAAu ibr a heemu alqaw a AAida mina albayti waism a AAeelu rabban a taqabbal minn a innaka anta a l ssameeAAu alAAaleem u
And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the Temple, [they prayed:] "O our Sustainer! Accept Thou this from us: for, verily, Thou alone art all-hearing, all-knowing!
  - Mohammad Asad
Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isma`il (Ishmael) raised the foundations of the House and dedicated it by saying: "Accept this from us, O Rabb, You are the one who hears all and knows all.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
And 'remember' when Abraham raised the foundation of the House with Ishmael, 'both praying,' 'Our Lord! Accept 'this' from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
  - Mustafa Khattab
And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, (Abraham prayed): Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
And remember Abraham and Isma`il raised the foundations of the House (with this prayer): "Our Lord! accept (this service) from us for thou art the All-Hearing the All-Knowing.
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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2:128
رَبَّنَا وَٱجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ Rabban a wa i jAAaln a muslimayni laka wamin th urriyyatin a ommatan muslimatan laka waarin a man a sikan a watub AAalayn a innaka anta a l ttaww a bu a l rra h eem u
"O our Sustainer! Make us surrender ourselves unto Thee, and make out of our offspring105a community that shall surrender itself unto Thee, and show us our ways of worship, and accept our repentance: for, verily, Thou alone art the Acceptor of Repentance, the Dispenser of Grace!
  - Mohammad Asad

The expression "our offspring" indicates Abraham's progeny through his first-born son, Ishmael, and is an indirect reference to the Prophet Muhammad, who descended from the latter.

O Rabb, make us both Muslims (submissive to You); and make our descendants a nation that will be Muslims (submissive to You). Teach us our rites of worship and forbear our shortcomings; surely, You are the Acceptor of repentance, the Merciful.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Our Lord! Make us both 'fully' submit to You1 and from our descendants a nation that will submit to you. Show us our rituals, and turn to us in grace. You are truly the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.
  - Mustafa Khattab

 lit., make both of us Muslims. The word “Muslim” means “one who submits to Allah.” All of the prophets submitted to Allah and were, therefore, Muslims.

Our Lord! And make us submissive unto Thee and of our seed a nation submissive unto Thee, and show us our ways of worship, and relent toward us. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Relenting, the Merciful.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
"Our Lord! make of us Muslims bowing to Thy (Will) and of our progeny a people Muslim bowing to Thy (Will) and show us our places for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning Most-Merciful.
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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2:129
رَبَّنَا وَٱبْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ Rabban a wa i bAAath feehim rasoolan minhum yatloo AAalayhim a y a tika wayuAAallimuhumu alkit a ba wa a l h ikmata wayuzakkeehim innaka anta alAAazeezu al h akeem u
"O our Sustainer! Raise up from the midst of our offspring106 an apostle from among themselves, who shall convey unto them Thy messages, and impart unto them revelation as well as wisdom, and cause them to grow in purity: for, verily, Thou alone art almighty, truly wise!"
  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "within them".

O Rabb, appoint from among them a Rasool who shall recite to them Your Revelations and teach them the Book and the Wisdom and sanctify them; surely, You are the All-Mighty, the Wise."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Our Lord! Raise from among them a messenger who will recite to them Your revelations, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You 'alone' are the Almighty, All-Wise.'
  - Mustafa Khattab
Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall make them grow. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, Wise.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
"Our Lord! send amongst them an Apostle of their own who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom and sanctify them; for Thou art the Exalted in Might the Wise." 129
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

How beautiful this prayer is, and how aptly it comes in here in the argument! Such Paganism or star-worship or planet-worship as there was in Abraham's time was first cleared out of Mecca by Abraham. This is the chief meaning of "sanctification" or purification in ii. 125, although of course physical cleanliness is (in physical conditions) a necessary element of purification in the higher sense. Abraham and his elder son Ismail then built the Ka'ba and established the rites and usages of the sacred city. He was thus the founder of the original Islam (which is as old as mankind) in Arabia. As becomes a devout man, he offers and dedicates the work to God in humble supplication, addressing Him as the All-Hearing and the All-Knowing. He then asks for a blessing on himself and his progeny generally, both the children of his eldest-born Ismail and his younger son Isaac. With prophetic vision he foresees that there will be corruption and backsliding in both branches of his family: Mecca will house 360 idols, and Jerusalem will become a harlot city (Ezekiel xvi. 15), a city of abomination. But the light of Islam will shine, and reclaim the lost people in both branches and indeed in all the world. So he prays for God's mercy, addressing Him as the Oft-Returning Most Merciful. And finally he foresees in Mecca an Apostle teaching the people as one "of their own", and in their own beautiful Arabic language; he asks for a blessing on Muhammad's ministry, appealing to the Power and Wisdom of God.

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2:130
وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُۥ ۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصْطَفَيْنَـٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ Waman yarghabu AAan millati ibr a heema ill a man safiha nafsahu walaqadi i st afayn a hu fee a l dduny a wainnahu fee al a khirati lamina a l ssa li h een a
And who, unless he be weak of mind, would want to abandon Abraham's creed, seeing that We have indeed raised him high in this world, and that, verily, in the life to come he shall be among the righteous?
  - Mohammad Asad
Who but a foolish man would renounce the faith of Ibrahim? We chose him in this worldly life while in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
And who would reject the faith of Abraham except a fool! We certainly chose him in this life, and in the Hereafter he will surely be among the righteous.
  - Mustafa Khattab
And who forsaketh the religion of Abraham save him who befooleth himself? Verily We chose him in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he is among the righteous.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: and he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the righteous. 130
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Istafa: chose; chose because of purity; chose and purified. It is the same root from which Mustafa is derived, one of the titles of Muhammad.

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2:131
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥٓ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ I th q a la lahu rabbuhu aslim q a la aslamtu lirabbi alAA a lameen a
When his Sustainer said to him, "Surrender thyself unto Me!" - he answered, "I have surrendered myself unto [Thee,] the Sustainer of all the worlds."
  - Mohammad Asad
When his Rabb asked him: "Be a Muslim," he answered: "I have become a Muslim to the Rabb of the worlds."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
When his Lord ordered him, 'Submit 'to My Will',' he responded, 'I submit to the Lord of all worlds.'
  - Mustafa Khattab
When his Lord said unto him: Surrender! he said: I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to me)" He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the universe."
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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2:132
وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَآ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَـٰبَنِىَّ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ Wawa ssa bih a ibr a heemu baneehi wayaAAqoobu y a baniyya inna All a ha i st af a lakumu a l ddeena fal a tamootunna ill a waantum muslimoon a
And this very thing did Abraham bequeath unto his children, and [so did] Jacob: "O my children! Behold, God has granted you the purest faith; so do not allow death to overtake you ere you have surrendered yourselves unto Him."
  - Mohammad Asad
This was the legacy that Ibrahim left to his sons and so did Ya'qoob (Jacob), when he said: "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you this Deen (way of life), therefore, die not unless you are Muslims."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
This was the advice of Abraham- as well as Jacob- to his children, 'saying', 'Indeed, Allah has chosen for you this faith; so do not die except in 'a state of full' submission.'
  - Mustafa Khattab
The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): O my sons! Lo! Allah hath chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him).
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons and so did Jacob; "O my sons! Allah hath chosen the faith for you; then die not except in the faith of Islam."
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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2:133
أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَآءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ ٱلْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنۢ بَعْدِى قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ إِلَـٰهَكَ وَإِلَـٰهَ ءَابَآئِكَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ إِلَـٰهًا وَٰحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ Am kuntum shuhad a a i th h a d ara yaAAqooba almawtu i th q a la libaneehi m a taAAbudoona min baAAdee q a loo naAAbudu il a haka wail a ha a b a ika ibr a heema waism a AAeela wais ha qa il a han w ah idan wana h nu lahu muslimoon a
Nay, but you [yourselves, O children of Israel,] bear witness107 that when death was approaching Jacob, he said unto his sons: "Whom will you worship after I am gone?" They answered: "We will worship thy God, the God of thy forefathers Abraham and Ishmael108 and Isaac, the One God; and unto Him will we surrender ourselves."
  - Mohammad Asad

I.e. "In the religious traditions to which you adhere". It is to be noted that the conjunction am which stands at the beginning of this sentence is not always used in the interrogative sense ("is it that...?"): sometimes - and especially when it is syntactically unconnected with the preceding sentence, as in this case - it is an equivalent of bal ("rather", or "nay, but"), and has no interrogative connotation.

In classical Arabic, as in ancient Hebrew usage, the term ab ("father") was applied not only to the direct male parent but also to grandfathers and even more distant ancestors, as well as to paternal uncles: which explains why Ishmael, who was Jacob's uncle, is mentioned in this context. Since he was the first-born of Abraham’s sons, his name precedes that of Isaac.

Were you present when death approached Ya'qoob (Jacob)? He asked his sons: "Who will you worship after me?" They replied: "We will worship the same One God Who is your Rabb and the Rabb of your forefathers Ibrahim, Isma`il and Ishaq (Isaac), and to Him we all submit as Muslims."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Or did you witness when death came to Jacob? He asked his children, 'Who will you worship after my passing?' They replied, 'We will 'continue to' worship your God, the God of your forefathers- Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac- the One God. And to Him we 'all' submit.'
  - Mustafa Khattab
Or were ye present when death came to Jacob, when he said unto his sons: What will ye worship after me? They said: We shall worship thy God, the God of thy fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and unto Him we have surrendered.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Were ye witnesses when death appeared before Jacob? Behold he said to his sons: "What will ye worship after me?" They said: "We shall worship thy Allah and the Allah of thy fathers of Abraham Isma`il and Isaac the one (true) Allah to Him we bow (in Islam)." 131 132
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The whole of the Children of Israel are called to witness one of their slogans, that they worshipped "the God of their fathers." The idea in their minds got narrowed down to that of a tribal God. But they are reminded that their ancestors had the principle of Islam in them - the worship of the One True and Universal God. The death-bed scene is described in Jewish tradition.

"Fathers" means ancestors, and include uncles, grand-uncles, as well as direct ascendants.

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2:134
تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُسْـَٔلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ Tilka ommatun qad khalat lah a m a kasabat walakum m a kasabtum wal a tusaloona AAamm a k a no yaAAmaloon a
Now those people have passed away; unto them shall be accounted what they have earned, and unto you, what you have earned; and you will not be judged on the strength of what they did.109
  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "you will not be asked about what they did". This verse, as well as verse {141} below, stresses the fundamental Islamic tenet of individual responsibility, and denies the Jewish idea of their being "the chosen people" by virtue of their descent, as well as - by implication - the Christian doctrine of an "original sin" with which all human beings are supposedly burdened because of Adam's fall from grace.

They were a people that have passed away. They shall reap the fruits of what they did, and you shall for what you do. You shall not be questioned about what they did.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
That was a community that had already gone before. For them is what they earned and for you is what you have earned. And you will not be accountable for what they have done.
  - Mustafa Khattab
Those are a people who have passed away. Theirs is that which they earned, and yours is that which ye earn. And ye will not be asked of what they used to do.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
That was a People that hath passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did and ye of what ye do! of their merits there is no question in your case! 133
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

I have made a free paraphrase of what would read literally: "Ye shall not be asked about what they used to do." On the Day of Judgment each soul would have to answer for its own deeds: it cannot claim merit from others, nor be answerable for the crimes or sins of others. Here the argument is: if the Jews or Christians claim the merits of Father Abraham and the Patriarchs or of Jesus, we cannot follow them. Because there were righteous men in the past, it cannot help us unless we are ourselves righteous. The doctrine of personal responsibility is a cardinal feature of Islam.

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2:135
وَقَالُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَـٰرَىٰ تَهْتَدُوا۟ ۗ قُلْ بَلْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ Waq a loo koonoo hoodan aw na sa r a tahtadoo qul bal millata ibr a heema h aneefan wam a k a na mina almushrikeen a
AND THEY say, "Be Jews" - or, "Christians" - "and you shall be on the right path." Say: "Nay, but [ours is] the creed of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false,110 and was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God."
  - Mohammad Asad

The expression hanif is derived from the verb hanafa, which literally means "he inclined [towards a right state or tendency]" (cf. Lane II, 658). Already in pre-Islamic times, this term had a definitely monotheistic connotation, and was used to describe a man who turned away from sin and worldliness and from all dubious beliefs, especially idol-worship; and tahannuf denoted the ardent devotions, mainly consisting of long vigils and prayers, of the unitarian God-seekers of pre-Islamic times. Many instances of this use of the terms hanif and tahannuf occur in the verses of pre-Islamic poets, e.g., Umayyah ibn Abi's-Salt and Jiran al-'Awd (cf. Lisan al-'Arab, art. hanafa).

Jews and Christians say: "Be Jews or Christians, you shall then be rightly guided." O Muhammad, say: "By no means! We follow the faith of Ibrahim, the upright one; and he was not one of the mushrikin."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
The Jews and Christians each say, 'Follow our faith to be 'rightly' guided.' Say, 'O Prophet,' 'No! We follow the faith of Abraham, the upright- who was not a polytheist.'
  - Mustafa Khattab
And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (to salvation)." Say thou: "Nay! (I would rather) the religion of Abraham the true and he joined not gods with Allah." 134
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Hanif: inclined to right opinion, orthodox (in the literal meaning of the Greed words), firm in faith, sound and well-balanced, true. Perhaps the last word, True, sums up most of the other shades.

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2:136
قُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ Qooloo a mann a bi A ll a hi wam a onzila ilayn a wam a onzila il a ibr a heema waism a AAeela wais ha qa wayaAAqooba wa a lasb at i wam a ootiya moos a waAAees a wam a ootiya a l nnabiyyoona min rabbihim l a nufarriqu bayna a h adin minhum wana h nu lahu muslimoon a
Say: "We believe in God, and in that which has been bestowed from on high upon us, and that which has been bestowed upon Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and their descendants,111 and that which has been vouchsafed to Moses and Jesus, and that which has been vouchsafed to all the [other] prophets by their Sustainer: we make no distinction between any of them.112 And it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves."
  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "the grandchildren" (al-asbat, sing. sibt) - a term used in the Qur'an to describe, in the first instance, Abraham's, Isaac's and Jacob's immediate descendants, and, consequently, the twelve tribes which evolved from this ancestry.

I.e., "we regard them all as true prophets of God".

Say: "We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us; and what was revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qoob (Jacob) and their descendants, and that which was given to Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) and other Prophets from their Rabb. We do not discriminate any of them, and to Allah we have surrendered ourselves (in Islam)."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Say, 'O believers,' 'We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us; and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. And to Allah we all submit.'
  - Mustafa Khattab
Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Say ye: "We believe in Allah and the revelation given to us and to Abraham Isma`il Isaac Jacob and the Tribes and that given to Moses and Jesus and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord we make no difference between one and another of them and we bow to Allah (in Islam)."
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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2:137
فَإِنْ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ مَآ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ فَقَدِ ٱهْتَدَوا۟ ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِى شِقَاقٍ ۖ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ Fain a manoo bimithli m a a mantum bihi faqadi ihtadaw wain tawallaw fainnam a hum fee shiq a qin fasayakfeekahumu All a hu wahuwa a l ssameeAAu alAAaleem u
And if [others] come to believe in the way you believe, they will indeed find themselves on the right path; and if they turn away, it is but they who will be deeply in the wrong, and God will protect thee from them: for He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing.
  - Mohammad Asad
So, if they accept Islam like you, they shall be rightly guided; if they reject it, they will surely fall into dissension (divide into differing factions); Allah will be your sufficient defender against them, and He hears and knows everything.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
So if they believe in what you believe, then they will indeed be 'rightly' guided. But if they turn away, they are simply opposed 'to the truth'. But Allah will spare you their evil. For He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
  - Mustafa Khattab
And if they believe in the like of that which ye believe, then are they rightly guided. But if they turn away, then are they in schism, and Allah will suffice thee (for defence) against them. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
So if they believe as ye believe they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice thee as against them and He is the All-Hearing the All- Knowing. 136
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

We are thus in the true line of those who follow the one and indivisible Message of the One God, wherever delivered. If others narrow it or corrupt it, it is they who have left the faith and created a division or schism. But God sees and knows all. And He will protect His own, and His support will be infinitely more precious than the support which men can give.

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2:138
صِبْغَةَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ صِبْغَةً ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ عَـٰبِدُونَ S ibghata All a hi waman a h sanu mina All a hi s ibghatan wana h nu lahu AA a bidoon a
[Say: "Our life takes its] hue from God! And who could give a better hue [to life] than God, if we but truly worship Him?"
  - Mohammad Asad
Baptism is from Allah; and who is better than Allah in baptizing? Him do we worship.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
This is the 'natural' Way of Allah. And who is better than Allah in ordaining a way? And we worship 'none but' Him.
  - Mustafa Khattab
(We take our) color from Allah, and who is better than Allah at coloring. We are His worshippers.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
(Our religion is) the baptism of Allah; and who can baptize better than Allah? and it is He whom we worship. 137
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Sibgat: baptism: the root-meaning implies a dye or colour; apparently the Arab Christians mixed a dye or colour in the baptismal water, signifying that the baptized person got a new colour in life. We do not believe that it is necessary to be baptized to be saved. Our higher baptism is the "Baptism" of God, by which we take on a colour (sumbolically) of God, and absorb His goodness in us.

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2:139
قُلْ أَتُحَآجُّونَنَا فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُخْلِصُونَ Qul atu ha jjoonan a fee All a hi wahuwa rabbun a warabbukum walan a aAAm a lun a walakum aAAm a lukum wana h nu lahu mukhli s oon a
Say [to the Jews and the Christians]: "Do you argue with us about God?113 But He is our Sustainer as well as your Sustainer - and unto us shall be accounted our deeds, and unto you, your deeds; and it is unto Him alone that we devote ourselves.
  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., about God's will regarding the succession of prophethood and man's ultimate salvation. The Jews believe that prophethood was a privilege granted to the children of Israel alone, while the Christians maintain that Jesus - who, too, descended from the children of Israel - was God's final manifestation on earth; and each of these two denominations claims that salvation is reserved to its followers alone (see 2:111 and {135}). The Qur'an refutes these ideas by stressing, in the next sentence, that God is the Lord of all mankind, and that every individual will be judged on the basis of his own beliefs and his own behaviour alone.

Say, O Muhammad: "Would you dispute with us concerning Allah, who is our Rabb and your Rabb as well? We shall be accountable to Him for our deeds and you for yours; to Him alone we are devoted.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Say, 'Would you dispute with us about Allah, while He is our Lord and your Lord? We are accountable for our deeds and you for yours. And we are devoted to Him 'alone'.
  - Mustafa Khattab
Say (unto the People of the Scripture): Dispute ye with us concerning Allah when He is our Lord and your Lord? Ours are our works and yours your works. We look to Him alone.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Say: Will ye dispute with us about Allah seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that we are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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2:140
أَمْ تَقُولُونَ إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطَ كَانُوا۟ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَـٰرَىٰ ۗ قُلْ ءَأَنتُمْ أَعْلَمُ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَتَمَ شَهَـٰدَةً عِندَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ Am taqooloona inna ibr a heema waism a AAeela wais ha qa wayaAAqooba wa a lasb at a k a noo hoodan aw na sa r a qul aantum aAAlamu ami All a hu waman a th lamu mimman katama shah a datan AAindahu mina All a hi wam a All a hu bigh a filin AAamm a taAAmaloon a
"Do you claim that Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and their descendants were 'Jews' or 'Christians'?"114 Say: "Do you know more than God does? And who could be more wicked than he who suppresses a testimony given to him by God?115 Yet God is not unmindful of what you do.
  - Mohammad Asad

Regarding the term asbat (rendered here as well as in verse {136} as "descendants"), see note [111] above. In the above words the Qur'an alludes to the fact that the concept of "Jewry" came into being many centuries after the time of the Patriarchs, and even long after the time of Moses, while the concepts of "Christianity" and "Christians" were unknown in Jesus' time and represent later developments.

A reference to the Biblical prediction of the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (see note [33] on verse {42} of this surah), which effectively contradicts the Judaeo-Christian claim that all true prophets, after the Patriarchs, belonged to the children of Israel.

Do you claim that Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qoob (Jacob) and their descendants were all Jews or Christians? Are you more knowledgeable than Allah?" Who is more wicked than the one who hides the testimony he has received from Allah? Allah is not unaware of what you do.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Do you claim that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants were all Jews or Christians?' Say, 'Who is more knowledgeable: you or Allah?' Who does more wrong than those who hide the testimony they received from Allah? And Allah is never unaware of what you do.
  - Mustafa Khattab
Or say ye that Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know best, or doth Allah? And who is more unjust than he who hideth a testimony which he hath received from Allah? Allah is not unaware of what ye do.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Or do ye say that Abraham Isma`il Isaac Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than Allah? Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do! 138
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The alternative is with the question in the last verse. Do you dispute with us although we worship the same God as you and claim that ours is the same religion as that of your ancestors? Or do you really assert that Abraham and his son and his sons' sons, who founded the Tribes long before Moses, followed your Jewish religion as you know it? History of course proves that claim absurd. If the Christians claim that these Patriarchs knew of and followed the teaching of Jesus, the claim is still more absurd, - except in the sense of Islam that God's teaching is one in all ages.

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