﴿ وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌۭ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌۭ ﴾

“But [since] good and evil cannot be equal, repel thou [evil] with something that is better and lo! he between whom and thyself was enmity [may then become] as though he had [always] been close [unto thee], a true friend!”

(The good deed) the call to Allah's divine Oneness by the Prophet (pbuh) (and the evil deed are not alike) and the call to idolatry by Abu Jahl are not alike; it is also said that this means: the testimony that there is no deity save Allah and ascribing partners to Allah are not alike. (Repel) O Muhammad, lest he tries, (the evil deed) idolatry from Abu Jahl (with one which is better) with " there is no deity save Allah " ; it is also said that this means: repel evil from Abu Jahl with that which is better, i.e. with good words, greetings and kindness, if you do that (then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity) regarding religion, i.e. Abu Jahl ((will become) as though he was a bosom friend) as though he is of the same religion or a close relative.