Overall meaning : Almighty Allah depicts the condition of the idolaters when they are struck by a calamity: When they board a ship and fear being drowned, they call upon Allah sincerely and exclusively to save them from certain death, but when He delivers them safely to land, they associate others with Him, and thus they show their ingratitude for the blessings We have bestowed upon them and go on enjoying their worldly life for a while. They will soon come to know the evil consequences of their unbelief!
He then reminds them of His favour towards them placing them in the vicinity of a safe sanctuary, where they enjoy complete security: Do these Quraysh idolaters not see that We have made Makkah a safe sanctuary, whose residents are safe from all harm while the Arabs all around them live in fear of being killed, robbed and taken captive?! How can they, then, believe in falsehood and deny Allah’s favours by worshipping others besides Him?!
Next, He stresses that no one does greater wrong than those who invent lies about Allah by ascribing partners to Him or denying Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an which he has brought them. Is Hell not a proper and permanent home for the unbelievers?
The Almighty then concludes the surah by pointing out the good outcome of those who strive hard to earn His pleasure: Those who strive hard for Our cause by doing deeds that are pleasing to Him and abandoning those that are bound to incur His wrath, We will surely guide to the paths that lead to Our good pleasure. Allah is indeed with those who do good, protecting them and giving them help and support.