Tafsir of Luqman 31:11

Surah Luqman (31): Verse 11

His saying, the Exalted: {This is the creation of Allah. So show Me what those whom you have set up besides Him have created.}

This means that Allah is the Creator, and others are not creators. So how can you abandon the worship of the Creator and busy yourselves with the worship of the created?

Then His saying, the Exalted: {Nay, the wrongdoers are in manifest error.}

Meaning, the error is clear, or it is clear to the intelligent person that it is error. This is because abandoning the path and deviating from it is misguidance. Furthermore, if the deviation is to the right or to the left, it is not as far from the straight path as when the intention is directed backward, which constitutes the utmost degree of misguidance.

The ultimate goal (the intended destination) is Allah, the Exalted. Therefore, whoever seeks Him but turns to anything else—be it worldly matters or otherwise—is misguided. However, whoever directs himself toward Allah may reach the goal, albeit after toil and a long duration. Whoever seeks Him and does not turn to anything other than Him is like one who is on the straight path, reaching quickly without fatigue. As for the one who turns away entirely, he will never reach the goal, even if he continues traveling indefinitely.

The term "the wrongdoers" here refers to the polytheists who place their worship in the wrong place, or those who place themselves in the act of worshipping other than Allah.

Surah Luqman (31): Verse 12

{And We did indeed give Luqman wisdom, [saying]: "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - indeed, Allah is Free of need, the Praiseworthy.}