Sura -42 [ Ash-Shura, Mecca 53 ]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:
شَرَعَ
لَكُم
مِّنَ
الدِّينِ
مَا
وَصَّى
بِهِ
نُوحًا
وَالَّذِي
أَوْحَيْنَا
إِلَيْكَ...
42:13. The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah-the which We have sent by inspiration to thee-
C4541. Allah's Religion is the same in essence, whether given, for example, to Noah, Abraham, Moses, or Jesus, or to our holy Prophet. The source of unity is the revelation from Allah.
In Islam it is "established" as an institution, and does not remain merely a vague suggestion.
...وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى ...
and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus:
... أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ...
Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in Religion, and make no divisions therein:
C4542. Faith, Duty or Religion, is not a matter to dispute about. The formation of sects is against the very principle of Religion and Unity. What we should strive for is steadfastness in duty and faith, and unity among mankind.
...كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ...
to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them.
C4543. Unity, unselfishness, love for Allah and man,-these things are inconsistent with selfish aggrandizement, unjust suppression of our fellow-creatures, false worship, and false conduct to our brethren. Hence the Gospel of Unity, though it is in complete accord with the pure pattern after which Allah made us, is yet hard to those who love self and falsehood. But Grace is free to all, and in His wise Plan, He will specially select Teachers to show the Way to humanity, and no one who turns to Him will lack guidance.
...اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاء وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ ﴿١٣﴾
Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
Asad’s Version:
(42: 13) In matters of faith, 12 He has ordained for you that which He had enjoined upon Noah - and into which We gave thee [O Muhammad] insight through revelation" - as well as that which We had enjoined upon Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus: Steadfastly uphold the [true] faith, and do not break up your unity therein."
[And even though] that [unity of faith] to which thou callest them appears oppressive to those who are wont to ascnbe to other beings or forces a share in His divinity, God draws unto Himself everyone who is willing, and guides unto Himself everyone who turns unto Him.
The Same System; a Message of Peace and Tolerance
42:13 He has decreed for you the same system He ordained for Noah, and what We inspired to you, and what We ordained for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: "You shall uphold this system, and do not divide in it." Intolerable for those who have set up partners is what you invite them towards. God chooses to Himself whoever/whomever He wills; He guides to Himself whoever repents.