Tafsir of Al-Isra 17:81

Around the House [the Kaaba] were three hundred and sixty idols, each belonging to a specific tribe. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated: The Arab tribes used to perform pilgrimage to them and sacrifice for them. The House complained to Allah (Mighty and Majestic is He), saying: "O Lord, how long will these idols be worshipped around me instead of You?"

Allah revealed to the House: "I will bring about a new era for you. I will fill you with prostrating cheeks; they will flock to you like the flocking of eagles, yearning for you like birds yearn for their eggs. They will have a clamor around you with the Talbiyah."

When this verse was revealed on the day of the Conquest [of Mecca], Gabriel (peace be upon him) said to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "Take your staff and cast it." He began approaching each idol, poking its eye with the staff and saying: "The Truth has come and the Falsehood has vanished." The idol would fall on its face until he had cast them all down.

One idol of the Khuza'a remained atop the Kaaba, made of yellow glass. He said: "O Ali, throw it down." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) carried him until he climbed up, threw it down, and broke it. The people of Mecca began to marvel, saying: "We have never seen a man more bewitching than Muhammad (peace be upon him)."

The complaint of the House and the revelation to it is a metaphor and an act of imagination.

"And the Falsehood has vanished": It departed and perished, derived from the saying: "His soul zahaqat (vanished/departed)," when it exits the body.

"The Truth": Islam. "The Falsehood": Polytheism.

"Ever bound to vanish": It was destined to be obliterated, never remaining at any time.

"And We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss."