[101] This applies to those who came before Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was sent. Thereafter, whoever seeks a religion other than Islam will find it not accepted from him and in the Hereafter he will be among the Losers (3: 85) (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī, Ibn ʿĀshūr). Furthermore, Ibn ʿĀshūr opines that this aya is meant to show these people that the Door to God is easy to arrive at and that seeking refuge with Him is not beyond their reach, but they have to Believe and do good deeds..
[102] Cf. 2: 83-85.
[103] Aṭ-ṭūr is of Syriac origin (al-Jawāliqī, al-Muʿarrab, p. 435) and whilst it means any mountain, it could also mean a certain mountain or a mountain covered with greenery. (al-Ṭabarī)
[104] This is further underlined in 7: 171.
[105] The details of this town’s story are given in 7: 163-165.
[106] Moses asked them to slaughter a cow without being specific about it. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī)
[107] ‘I seek refuge by Allah’ is a literal translation for the Arabic expression (aʿūdhu bi Allāh) which, depending on the context, as in this case, is meant to express a strong feeling of aversion to something, i.e. that they accused him of an act befitting only the ignorant, let alone a Messenger of God.