And His words:

“Say, ‘Is it other than Allah that you command me to worship, O ignorant ones?’”

address everyone who worships other than Allah, even if it has been decreed that he will later repent. Likewise, every believer addresses these words to anyone who worships other than Allah.

As for his words in this hadith, “Until I see what comes to me from my Lord,” someone may say this intending to ward off wrongdoers in the best manner, so that his argument will be that the one whom he is bound to obey has forbidden it. He therefore postpones his answer until he seeks permission, even though he knows that their proposal is entirely out of the question.

A man may receive a proposal for his daughter’s hand and say, “Until I consult her mother,” intending thereby not to marry her to the suitor and knowing that her mother will not advise him to do so. Likewise, a deputy may say, “Until I consult the ruler.” Such an answer implies neither hesitation on his part nor any consideration that Allah might permit him to do that.

A number of men from Quraysh had commanded him and his Companions to worship other than Allah, fought them, and shown them intense hostility over this. Yet they later repented, embraced Islam, and recited this surah.

Some transmitters identify individuals different from those identified by others. Some mention Abū Jahl and a group; others mention ‘Utbah ibn Rabī‘ah and a group; while others