“To Him belongs the true supplication. As for those whom they invoke besides Him, they do not answer them in any way—except like one who stretches out his hands toward water, that it may reach his mouth, though it will never reach it. And the supplication of the disbelievers is only in error.” (14)

“To Him belongs the true supplication,” that is, to Allah belongs the truthful call.

Ali said: “The true supplication is tawḥīd (affirming Allah’s oneness).” (1)

Ibn Abbas said: “The testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.” (2)

It was also said: it means supplication made with sincerity; and sincere supplication is directed only to Allah. (3)

“As for those whom they invoke besides Him,” that is, those who worship idols instead of Allah, Most High. “They do not answer them in any way,” meaning, they do not grant them anything they seek, whether benefit or the warding off of harm: “except like one who stretches out his hands toward water, that it may reach his mouth, though it will never reach it.”