So call on them, then they should answer you if you are truthful.

So call on them, then they should answer you if you are truthful.” The objective meaning of the Arabic term /‘ibād/ (worshipping creatures) may be the creatures or men who are taken as deities, like Jesus (as) or the angels. Or, the purpose may be the very idols which the idol-worshippers imagine as ‘gods’. Therefore, worshipping needs both reason and privilege. Worshipping creatures or human beings, like our own selves, has neither any reason nor any privilege.

The verse says: “Verily those whom you call upon other than Allah are creatures like your own selves…” Another matter is the silence of deities which itself is the sign of their inability and incompetence. Besides, a deity must promote its servant, not to stop him.

Or, have they ears with which they hear? Say (O’ Prophet!): ‘Call your associates, then contrive against me and give me no respite’.”*** The Arabic term /yabtiŝūn/ is derived from /bataŝa/ which means ‘to take or seize by force’. This meaning has been used as a reprimand upon the pagans who take some partners for Allah.

These partners are more incapable than they themselves, since they can walk, see, hear and act, but those lifeless statues do not have these abilities, and if they were wished to do something they would be unable. So, why do the idol-worshippers, as a notion, adore them? Strange to say, pagans do not accept the Prophet (S) since he says he is a human as they are, but they are convinced with idols which are not like them even, or they are lower than them.