{That is because those who disbelieved followed falsehood}, meaning: Iblis (Satan); they followed his whisperings regarding that to which he called them, namely the worship of idols. {Thus does Allah strike}, meaning: He clarifies, {for the people their comparisons}, meaning: the descriptions of their deeds.
Muhammad said: The meaning of the speaker's statement: "I have struck a comparison for you" is: I have clarified for you a type of example.
Tafsir of Surah Muhammad from verse 4 to verse 6.
﴿ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا اتَّبَعُوا الْبَاطِل﴾ يَعْنِي: إِبْلِيس؛ اتبعُوا وسوسته بِالَّذِي دعاهم إِلَيْهِ من عبَادَة الْأَوْثَان ﴿كَذَلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ﴾ أَي: يبين ﴿للنَّاس أمثالهم﴾ يَعْنِي: صِفَات أَعْمَالهم.
قَالَ محمدٌ: معنى قَول الْقَائِل: ضربت لَك مثلا؛ أَي: بيّنت لَك صنفا من الْأَمْثَال.
تَفْسِير سُورَة مُحَمَّد من الْآيَة ٤ إِلَى آيَة ٦.
