He also said:

This is an explanation of verses that have proved difficult to understand, so much so that a number of Quran commentaries offer only erroneous explanations of them. Among these is His statement:

“And what do those who invoke partners besides Allah follow?”

Some have supposed that mā (“what”) is a negative particle, but this is mistaken. Rather, it introduces a question, for they do invoke partners alongside Him, as He has stated in several places. Thus, these partners are described in the Quran as being invoked because they are followed, and only leaders are followed. Hence His statement:

“They follow nothing but conjecture.”

Had He intended negation, He would have said: “They follow none but those who are not partners.” Rather, He explained that the polytheist possesses no knowledge: he has nothing but conjecture and eager desire, as in His statement:

“May the liars be destroyed!”