But when He mentions only the obstacles within them, without mentioning the prior decree, their removal may be hoped for and is possible—unless He also mentions something that precludes a change in their condition and their attaining guidance.

Section

“Say, ‘O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship.’”

The address here uses mā (“what”), not man (“who”). One explanation offered is that He says, “I do not worship what you worship,” rather than “I do not worship whom you worship,” because man is used for beings endowed with knowledge, whereas idols have no knowledge.

This explanation is very weak. What the polytheists worship includes both beings endowed with knowledge—such as angels, prophets, jinn, and human beings—and things without knowledge. When the two occur together, the form used for beings endowed with knowledge takes precedence, as in His words:

“Among them are those that move on their bellies, those that walk on two legs, and those that walk on four.”

Thus, when He describes them in terms appropriate to beings endowed with knowledge, He refers to them in terms of servitude to Him, as in His words:

“Indeed, those whom you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them, and let them answer you, if you are truthful. Do they have feet with which they walk, or hands with which they grasp?”

And so the verse continues. He thus refers to them using the masculine plural pronoun, which is used for beings endowed with knowledge.