Overall meaning : The Almighty mentions the ridicule that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, receives from his idolatrous people and what they say when they see him: When the unbelievers of the Quraysh see you, Muhammad, they only make fun of you, saying, ‘Is this the one that Allah has sent us as a messenger?! He would have almost turned us away from the worship of our idols had we not adhered steadfastly to them and rejected his call.’ He threateningly says about them: But they will soon know, when they see the punishment, who has truly strayed from the path of truth, they or you?!
Then He consoles His Prophet, showing the true reality of these idolaters’ condition: Have you, Muhammad, considered the case of the person who has taken his own desires as his god? Would you, then, be his guardian, and thereby prevent him from going astray and guide him to the truth?! Or do you think that most of these idolaters listen to the truth to which you are calling them and try to understand it, so that you will be eager for them to believe? By no means! Since they do not benefit from the right guidance that is bound to open their minds and hearts, they are only like brutes; indeed, they are far worse!