And likewise, to many of the polytheists their partners1 have made [to seem] pleasing the killing of their children in order to bring about their destruction and to cover them with confusion in their religion. And if Allāh had willed, they would not have done so. So leave them and that which they invent.
لِيُرۡدُوهُمۡso that they may ruin themliyur'dūhum
وَلِيَلۡبِسُواْand that they make confusingwaliyalbisū
عَلَيۡهِمۡto themʿalayhim
دِينَهُمۡۖtheir religiondīnahum
وَلَوۡAnd ifwalaw
شَآءَ(had) willedshāa
ٱللَّهُAllahl-lahu
مَاnotmā
فَعَلُوهُۖ(would) they have done sofaʿalūhu
فَذَرۡهُمۡSo leave themfadharhum
وَمَاand whatwamā
يَفۡتَرُونَthey inventyaftarūna
Tafsir
Just as Satan made this unfair judgement fair seeming to the idolaters, the devils –who were their partners and associates – made it seem good to them that they should kill their children out of the fear of poverty. The devils inspired them with this in order to destroy them by their committing the act of murder, which Allah had made unlawful, and to make their religion confusing for them such that they did not know anymore what Allah had commanded or prohibited for them. If Allah had willed for them not to do this, they would not have done so. However, He willed it out of His wisdom. So leave, O Messenger, these idolaters and their fabrications about Allah, because that will not harm you, and entrust their matter to Allah.