Tafsir of Al-An'am 6:20-21

{Those to whom We have given the Scripture} They are the Jews and the Christians. They recognize the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) by his physical description and attributes established in both Scriptures, with a pure and certain recognition, {as they recognize their own sons} by their features and traits; they are not hidden from them, nor are they confused with others. This is an appeal to the people of Makkah, citing the People of the Scripture’s recognition of him and the validity of his prophethood.

{Those who have lost their own souls} From among the polytheists and the deniers of the People of the Scripture, {they do not believe} in him. They have combined two contradictory matters: they lied against Allah regarding that for which they have no proof, and they denied that which was established by clear evidence and sound demonstration.

They said: {"If Allah had willed, we would not have associated others with Him, nor would our forefathers"} (Al-An'am: 148). They said: {"And Allah has commanded us to do it"} (Al-A'raf: 28). They said: {"The angels are the daughters of Allah"} (Yunus: 18), and {"These are our intercessors with Allah"} (Yunus: 18). They attributed to Him the prohibition of the Ba'irah and the Sa'ibah (types of livestock). They went on to deny the Qur'an and the miracles, labeling them magic, and they did not believe in the Messenger (peace be upon him).

{And the Day We gather them all together, then We will say to those who associated others with Allah, "Where are your 'partners' whom you used to claim?" Then there will be no excuse for them except that they will say, "By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists." See how they lied against themselves, and what they used to invent has vanished from them.}