Overall meaning : The Almighty says: Ask the idolaters, Muhammad, ‘Who gives you sustenance from the heavens and the earth?’ Say, ‘Allah alone does. Why, then, do you worship besides Him those that cannot provide anything for you? Either we or you follow the right path or have clearly gone astray.’
Say to them, Muhammad, ‘You will not be accountable for our sins, nor will we be accountable for your deeds.’ Say, ‘Our Lord will bring us all together, then He will judge between us fairly. He is the All-knowing Judge, who is fully aware of His servants’ actions and conditions.’
Say to them, Muhammad, ‘Show me those you allege to be His partners. By no means can He have partners, as you claim! He is Allah, who alone is worthy of worship, the All-Mighty, who holds sway over all His creation; the All-Wise, whose laws, actions and statements are characterised by profound wisdom.’
We have sent you forth, Muhammad, to all mankind, so that you may give those who obey you good news of great reward and warn those who disobey you of severe punishment, but most people do not know this.
The idolaters sarcastically ask, ‘When will this threat of punishment be fulfilled if what you say is true?’ Say to them, ‘You have a promised appointment on a day which, when it comes, you can neither delay nor advance by a single moment.’