"And they say," meaning: the polytheists, when the Prophet calls them to faith, "Are we to abandon our gods for the sake of a mad poet?" meaning: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). That is: we shall not do so. God said,
﴿وَيَقُولُونَ﴾ يَعْنِي: الْمُشْركين إِذا دعاهم النَّبِيّ إِلَى الْإِيمَان ﴿أَئِنَّا لَتَارِكُوا آلِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرٍ مَّجْنُونٍ﴾ يَعْنُونَ: النَّبِيَّ ﷺ، أَي: لَا نَفْعل. قَالَ الله
