Statements of the Scholars on the Verse “There is no compulsion in religion”

Question:
The Honorable Shaykh says: Allah the Exalted said: Is the absence of compulsion for everyone, or is it specific to the People of the Book?

Answer:
There are various opinions among the scholars regarding this verse. Whoever wishes to look into this should refer to *Bidayat al-Hiara* by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, or refer to *Al-Qawl al-Sahih fi Man Badala Din al-Masih* by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah; these works detail this issue. The summary is that it was said that the intended meaning here is regarding the People of the Book , meaning that in the case of the People of the Book, if they pay the jizyah, they are not compelled to enter Islam. This is specific to the People of the Book if they pay the jizyah. As for others, it is necessary that they either accept Islam or be killed, whether they are idolaters, materialists, or polytheists. So it is specific to the People of the Book. It was also said, and Allah knows best, that the meaning of is in the heart. No one can control the heart, and no one can compel someone to become a Muslim, because religion is conviction and belief, and that is in the heart. As for outward dealings, one is dealt with according to his status: if he is from those who pay the jizyah, the jizyah is taken from him; if he is from the polytheists and idolaters, he is dealt with as an idolater. However, no one is compelled to become a Muslim. Yes.