If you obey a group ... (Surah Al-‘Imran 3:100-101)

And how would you disbelieve, while unto you are recited the verses of Allah, and among you is His Messenger And whoever depends upon Allah, then he is indeed guided to the right path. (Surah Al-‘Imran 3:101)

Warning Muslims Against Imitating People of the Scriptures

Allah warns His believing servants against obeying the People of the Book, who envy the believers for the favor that Allah gave them by sending His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Similarly, Allah said,

Many of the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish that they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of their own envy. [Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 109].

In this Ayah [3:100], Allah said,

If you obey a group of those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians), they would (indeed) render you disbelievers after you have believed!,  then said,

And how would you disbelieve, while unto you are recited the verses of Allah, and among you is His Messenger,  meaning, disbelief is far from touching you, since the Ayat of Allah are being sent down on His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) day and night, and he recites and conveys them to you. Similarly, Allah said,  

And what is the matter with you that you believe not in Allah! While the Messenger invites you to believe in your Lord; and He has indeed taken your covenant, if you are real Believers  [Surah Al-Hadid 57].  A Hadith states that one day, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to his Companions,

"Who among the faithful believers do you consider has the most amazing faith'' They said, "The angels.'' He said, "Why would they not believe, since they are with their Lord'' They mentioned the Prophets, and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Why would they not believe while the revelation is sent down to them'' They said, "Then, we are.'' He said, "Why would not you believe when I am among you'' They asked, "Who has the most amazing faith'' The Prophet said, "A people who will come after you and who will find only books that they will believe in.''

Allah said next,

And whoever depends upon Allah, then he is indeed guided to the right path for trusting and relying on Allah are the basis of achieving the right guidance and staying away from the path of wickedness. They also represent the tool to acquiring guidance and truth and achieving the righteous aims.


Source: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged)