Tafseer of The Poets · Ash-Shu'araa · 26:71
They said, "We worship idols and remain to them devoted."
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
﴿قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ أَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَاكِفِينَ﴾ (they said: "We worship idols and remain ever devoted to their service") — He says: and we abide as servants beside them, continually in their service and worship.
We have already set forth earlier the meaning of al-ʿukūf (abiding, devotion) together with its supporting proofs, in a manner that makes it unnecessary to repeat it here.
Ibn ʿAbbās said — according to what is related from him — the following concerning the meaning of this; thus al-Qāsim related to us, saying: al-Ḥusayn related to us, saying: Ḥajjāj related to me, on the authority of Ibn Jurayj, who said: Ibn ʿAbbās said concerning the words: ﴿قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ أَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَاكِفِينَ﴾ — he said: The prayer to their idols.
