Qatadah said: This is because, when they are asked, “Who is your Lord? Who created you, and who created the heavens and the earth?” they reply, “Allah.” They are then asked, “What, then, is the meaning of your worship of idols?” They reply, “So that they may bring us nearer to Allah in rank”—that is, in nearness. This is a noun used in place of a verbal noun, as though they had said: “Only so that they may bring us nearer to Allah and intercede for us with Allah.”

“Indeed, Allah will judge between them” on the Day of Resurrection “concerning that over which they differ” in matters of religion. “Surely, Allah does not guide one who is a persistent liar and disbeliever”: He does not guide to His religion one who lies by claiming that the deities intercede; and taking deities besides Him is itself falsehood [and disbelief]. (1)

“Had Allah willed to take a son, He could have chosen from whatever He created whatever He willed. Glory be to Him! He is Allah, the One, the All-Compelling. (4) He created the heavens and the earth in truth. He wraps the night around the day and wraps the day around the night. He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for an appointed term. Surely, He is the Almighty, the All-Forgiving. (5)”