﴿ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ شُفَعَآءَ ۚ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ ﴾

“And yet, they choose [to worship], side by side with God, [imaginary] intercessors!” Say: “Why - even though they have no power over anything, and no understanding?””

(Or choose they) or do the disbelievers of Mecca worship (intercessors) deities in order that the latter intercede for them (other than Allah? Say) to them, O Muhammad: (What! Even though they have power over nothing) what! Even though they have no power of intercession (and have no intelligence) nor know what intercession is? And if they do not know what intercession is, how are they going to intercede?