"My Lord, indeed they have misled many among the people," meaning: the idols have misled many among the people. He says: The polytheists went astray by worshipping them, even though they themselves did not invite people to worship them. "So whoever follows me, then he is of me; and whoever disobeys me" by worshipping idols, then repents to You after that, "then indeed, You are Forgiving, Merciful."
﴿رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاس﴾ يَعْنِي: الأَصْنَامَ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ؛ يَقُولُ: ضَلَّ الْمُشْرِكُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهَا؛ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تَكُونَ دَعَتْ هِيَ إِلَى عِبَادَةِ أَنْفُسِهَا ﴿فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي وَمَنْ عَصَانِي﴾ فَعَبَدَ الأَوْثَانَ، ثُمَّ تَابَ إِلَيْكَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ ﴿فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ﴾.
