According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the principle 'Lā ikrāha fī al-dīn' (There is no coercion in religion), found in Quran 2:256, is a foundational tenet of Islamic theology. It establishes that faith is fundamentally an act of personal conviction and cannot be forced upon an individual. The great exegete Al-Tabari explains that the verse's own logic—'The right course has now become distinct from the wrong'—removes any pretext for compulsion, as the message of Islam is clear. Ibn Kathir confirms this by citing the historical context of its revelation, where it was revealed to prevent the Muslims of Madinah from forcing their non-Muslim children to convert. Al-Qurtubi further elaborates on its legal implications, solidifying it as a rule governing interactions with non-Muslims. The scholarly majority holds that this verse is not abrogated but is a definitive principle, underscoring that the purpose of dawah (invitation) is clear communication, not compelled conversion. This synthesis establishes that genuine faith, in the Islamic view, must be embraced willingly through free will.