117–118 “Whoever invokes another god besides Allah—one for whom he has no proof—his reckoning is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed. And say, ‘My Lord, forgive and have mercy, for You are the best of those who show mercy.’”

That is: Whoever invokes ⦗561⦘ gods other than Allah alongside Him, without any evidence to support his claim or proof substantiating the belief he has adopted—this qualification is invariably applicable, for no one who invokes other than Allah has any proof for doing so. Rather, the proofs establish the falsity of his belief, but he turns away from them out of wrongdoing and obstinacy. Such a person will come before his Lord, who will requite him for his deeds and grant him no share of success, because he is a disbeliever: “Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.” Their disbelief prevents them from attaining success.

“And say,” calling upon your Lord with sincere devotion to Him alone, “My Lord, forgive” us so that You may deliver us from all harm, “and have mercy” upon us so that, by Your mercy, You may bring us to every good, “for You are the best of those who show mercy.” Whoever shows mercy to a servant, Allah is better to him than that person is. He is more merciful to His servant than a mother is to her child, and more merciful to him than he is to himself. The commentary on Surah al-Mu’minūn is complete, by Allah’s grace and beneficence.

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