Overall meaning : Allah instructs His Prophet, Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to inform the Arab idolaters who associate partners with Him that he is forbidden to worship everything they worship besides Allah. 'I will by no means follow your vain desires,’ He also directs him to tell them, 'for then I will surely stray and cease to be on the right path.’
Allah Almighty further instructs him to inform them that he has received clear, conclusive proofs from his Lord and yet they have rejected the truth he has brought from Him. 'The punishment you deridingly ask to be hastened is not in my power,’ He directs him to tell them, 'for decision on this matter rests entirely with Allah who, if He so wishes, may delay the punishment you ask for or hasten it for you, as He deems wise and proper. He always relates the truth, and He is the best to decide on all matters and distinguish those who follow the truth from those who follow falsehood.’
'If I had the power to hasten your punishment, as you demand,’ He further enjoins him to tell them, 'I would surely hasten to mete out to you the punishment you so justly deserve, but the decision rests solely with Allah, who is well aware of the wrongdoers and knows best whether or not to delay their punishment and when to inflict it on them.’