Ibn Kathir: Do not force anyone to become a Muslim, for Islam is clear

Ibn Kathir said: Allah Almighty said, “There is no compulsion in religion (2:256),” which means, “Do not force anyone to become Muslim, for Islam is plain and clear, and its proofs and evidence are plain and clear. Therefore, there is no need to force anyone to embrace Islam. Rather, whoever Allah directs to Islam, opens his heart for it and enlightens his mind, will embrace Islam with certainty. Whoever Allah blinds his heart and seals his hearing and sight, then he will not benefit from being forced to embrace Islam.”

[Tafsir Ibn Kathir, verse 2:256]

قال ابن كثير يقول تعالى لا إكراه فى ٱلدين أي لا تكرهوا أحدا على الدخول في دين الإسلام، فإنه بين واضح جلي دلائله وبراهينه لا يحتاج إلى أن يكره أحد على الدخول فيه بل من هداه الله للإسلام وشرح صدره ونور بصيرته، دخل فيه على بينة، ومن أعمى الله قلبه، وختم على سمعه وبصره، فإنه لا يفيده الدخول في الدين مكرها مقسورا

تفسير ابن كثير