Tafsir of Ash-Shu`ara' 26:77

It is said: This is a justification for what is understood from the preceding context, namely that I do not worship them, or that their worship is not valid. It is also said: It is a predicate for "what you have been," where the meaning is, "Shall I inform you and make you aware of the content of this?" Some eminent scholars have chosen the view that it is an explanation and clarification of the state of those they worship—a state which, if they had attained knowledge of it, they would not have worshipped them. That is: Know that they are enemies to their worshippers, whom they love as they love Allah Almighty, in that they are harmed by them just as a man is harmed by his enemy. Thus, applying the term "enemy" to them is a form of eloquent metaphor (tashbih baligh).

It is also permitted that it be a form of figurative attribution (majaz aqli), by applying the description of the cause to the effect, given that the one who incites and compels their worship is Satan, who is an open enemy to mankind. The first view is more apparent. The motive for interpretation is that idols, being inanimate objects, are not capable of enmity. What has been said—that the speech is transposed (qalb), and the original is "For I am an enemy to them"—is of no substance.

Al-Nasafi said: "Enemy" ('adu) is a noun used for both the one who acts with enmity and the one who is the object of enmity collectively; therefore, it does not require interpretation. It would be similar to His saying: {And by Allah, I will surely plot against your idols}. He portrayed the matter in itself as an allusion (ta'rid) to them, as in His saying: {And why should I not worship He who created me, and to Him you shall be returned?}, so that it might be more eloquent in giving counsel and more inviting to acceptance. Hence, the great scholars employed allusion in giving counsel. From this, it is narrated of Al-Shafi'i—may Allah Almighty be pleased with him—that a man confronted him with something, so he said: "If I were in your position, I would be in need of instruction." A man heard people speaking in the Hijr, so he said: "It is neither my house nor your house."

The pronoun in "they" (innakum) refers to "what" (ma), using the plural to observe its meaning. The singular form of "enemy" ('adu), despite being a predicate for a plural, is either because it is originally a verbal noun (masdar), thus applied to the masculine singular and others; or because all of them are united in the meaning of enmity; or because the speech is in the estimation of "for each of them"; or because it carries the meaning of attribution—that is, "possessor of such-and-such"—so it is the same for the singular and the plural, as has been said.

This is a disjunctive exception (istithna' munqati') from the pronoun in "for they," according to a group including Al-Farra', and it was chosen by Al-Zamakhshari. That is: But the Lord of the worlds is not like that, for He—Glory be to Him—is the Protector of the one who worships Him in this world and the Hereafter, never ceasing to bestow benefits upon him.

Al-Zajjaj said: It is a conjunctive exception (istithna' muttasil) from that pronoun which refers to "what you worship," and it considers its inclusion of Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—and their ancient forefathers who worshipped Allah—Glory be to Him—without doubt. Or, it may be said: The addressed were polytheists, and they worshipped Allah Almighty as well as the idols. The specification of idols here is for the purpose of refutation, not because their worship was limited to them. Even if it were granted that it is for that reason, it is in consideration of their persistent devotion, and that does not negate their worship of Him—Glory be to Him—at times.

Al-Jurjani said: The exception is from "what you have been worshipping," and "except" (illa) carries the meaning of "besides" or "other than" (duna wa siwa). In the verse, there is a transposition (taqdim wa ta'khir), and the original is: "Have you then considered what you and your ancient forefathers have been worshipping—other than the Lord of the worlds—for they are an enemy to me?" And the weakness of that position is not hidden.