Tafsir of Sad 38:4

{And the disbelievers said} He did not say "and they said" to manifest anger toward them, and to indicate that no one would dare to make such a statement except those who are deeply entrenched in disbelief and immersed in error—those of whom He said: {Those are the disbelievers, truly} (An-Nisa: 151).

Could you see any greater disbelief or more profound ignorance than calling him whom God has verified with His revelation a "liar"? They wonder at Monotheism—which is the Truth, and nothing else is valid—yet they do not wonder at Polytheism, which is falsehood and has no basis for validity.

It is narrated: When Umar (may God be pleased with him) embraced Islam, the believers rejoiced greatly, while it weighed heavily upon the Quraysh and distressed them. Twenty-five of their leaders gathered and went to Abu Talib, saying: "You are our elder and our chief. You know what these fools have done"—meaning those who entered Islam—"and we have come to you so that you may judge between us and your nephew."

Abu Talib summoned the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) and said: "O nephew, these are your people asking for fairness from you, so do not lean entirely against your people." The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "What do they ask of me?" They said: "Leave us alone, and stop mentioning our gods, and we will leave you and your God."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "Tell me, if I give you what you ask, will you grant me one word by which you will rule the Arabs and the non-Arabs will submit to you?" They replied: "Yes, and ten [words]!"—meaning we will give you that, and ten words along with it. He said: "Say: There is no god but God."

They stood up and said: {Has he made the gods one God? Indeed, this is a strange thing}—meaning, extreme in its strangeness. It is also recited as ‘ujāb (with a shadda), like the Almighty’s saying: {a great plotting} (Nuh: 22), which is more emphatic than the un-emphasized form. Its equivalent is karīm and kirām and kurām.

His saying: {Has he made the gods one God?} is like His saying: {And they made the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, females} (Az-Zukhruf: 19), in that the meaning of "making" is "designating" in speech by way of claim and allegation. It is as if he said: "Does he designate the many as one in his speech?"—for that is impossible in reality.

{And the eminent among them went forth, [saying], "Go on and be patient over your gods. Indeed, this is a thing intended. We have not heard of this in the latest religion. This is not but a fabrication."}