(But he did not believe, nor did he pray), meaning: he did not believe and he did not pray.
Yahya said: This was revealed regarding Abu Jahl.
Muhammad said: It is part of the speech of the Arabs to say "la fa'ala" (he did not do), meaning "lam yaf'al" (he did not do). The poet said:
(And what evil deed did he not do...)
He meant: He did not do it.
﴿فَلَا صدق وَلَا صلى﴾ أَيْ: لَمْ يصدَّق وَلَمْ يصلَّ.
قَالَ يَحْيَى: نَزَلَتْ فِي أَبِي جَهْلٍ.
قَالَ محمدٌ: مِنْ كَلامِ الْعَرَبِ: لَا فَعَلَ، يُرِيدُ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ. قَالَ الشَّاعِرُ:
(وَأَيُّ فعلٍ سيئ لَا فعَلَه … ْ)
أَرَادَ: لم يَفْعَله.
