(45–46) “When Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter recoil; but when those besides Him are mentioned, they at once rejoice. * Say, ‘O Allah, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You will judge between Your servants concerning that over which they used to differ.’”
The Most High describes the state of the polytheists and what their polytheism entailed: “When Allah is mentioned” as the only One worthy of worship, people are commanded to devote religion sincerely to Him and abandon all that is worshipped besides Him, they recoil, turn away, and utterly detest it.
“But when those besides Him are mentioned”—the idols and rivals—and someone calls people to worship and praise them, “they at once rejoice” at this, delighted that their objects of worship have been mentioned, because polytheism accords with their desires. This is the most evil and hideous of conditions, but their appointed time is the Day of Recompense. On that day, justice will be exacted from them, and it will be seen whether the gods they invoked besides Allah can benefit them in any way.
Thus He said: “Say, ‘O Allah, Originator of the heavens and the earth,’” meaning their Creator and Disposer, “Knower of the unseen”—that which lies beyond our sight and knowledge—“and the seen,” which we observe.
“You will judge between Your servants concerning that over which they used to differ.” Among the greatest of disputes is that between those who affirm Allah’s oneness and worship Him sincerely—who say that what they follow is the truth and that the best outcome in the Hereafter belongs to them alone—and the polytheists, who have taken rivals and idols besides You, equated with You those who are nothing at all, and disparaged You in the most extreme manner. They rejoice when their gods are mentioned and recoil when You are mentioned, yet despite this, they claim that they follow the truth, that others follow falsehood, and that the best outcome will be theirs.
Allah Most High said: “Indeed, the believers, the Jews, the Sabeans, the Christians, the Magians, and the polytheists—Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, Allah is Witness over all things.”
He has informed us how He will judge between them thereafter, saying: “These are two adversaries who disputed concerning their Lord. As for those who disbelieved, garments of fire will be cut out for them, and scalding water will be poured over their heads. By it, whatever is in their bellies, as well as their skins, will be melted, and for them will be maces of iron,” until He says: “Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds into gardens beneath which rivers flow. There they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments there will be silk.”
Allah Most High also said: “Those who believe and do not taint their faith with wrongdoing—it is they who will have security, and it is they who are rightly guided.” “Indeed, whoever associates partners with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, and his abode is the Fire.”
Thus, this verse establishes the all-encompassing nature of His creation, His knowledge, and His judgment among His servants. His power, by which all created beings came into existence, and His knowledge, which encompasses everything, demonstrate that He will judge between His servants and resurrect them, and that He knows their deeds—both good and evil—and the recompense due for each. His creation itself demonstrates His knowledge: “Would He who created not know?”