(Or have they) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (partners (of Allah)) deities (who have made lawful for them in religion that which Allah allowed not) that which Allah did not command the disbelievers: Abu Jahl and his host? (And but for a decisive word (gone forth already)) to delay the punishment of this nation, (it would have been judged between them) they would have been destroyed. (Lo! for wrong-doers) for disbelievers (is a painful doom.