[3954] This groundless presumption led them to falsely believe that the so-called gods they took for protectors would be of use to them before God Almighty, so they heeded not His Signs (cf. al-Zajjāj, al-Shinqīṭī, Ibn ʿĀshūr, Ibn ʿUthaymīn): “They have taken gods, besides Allah, seeking strength ˹and protection˺ through them. *Nay, but they will deny their worship and turn against them!” (19: 81-82)