"But if they turn away, then upon you is only the clear notification," meaning: it is not your responsibility to guide them. This was before he was commanded to fight them.
﴿فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلاغُ الْمُبين﴾ أَيْ: لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَهْدِيَهُمْ، وَكَانَ هَذَا قبل أَن يُؤمر بقتالهم.
