(74–75) “They have taken gods besides Allah, hoping that they might be helped. * They are unable to help them, yet they will be brought forth as an army for them.”

This demonstrates the falsehood of the polytheists’ gods, which (1) they took alongside Allah Most High, hoping for their help and intercession. Yet these gods are utterly helpless: “They are unable to help them,” nor can they even help themselves. If they cannot help themselves, how could they help their worshippers? Giving help depends upon two conditions: capability [and power] (2). When capability exists, the question remains whether the one being worshipped wishes to help its worshipper or not. Thus, negating capability negates both matters altogether.

“Yet they will be brought forth as an army for them.” That is, both the worshippers and the objects of their worship will be brought into the punishment, each disavowing the other. Will you not, then, renounce the worship of these in this world and devote worship sincerely to the One in whose Hand lie dominion, benefit and harm, giving and withholding, and who is the Guardian and Helper?