It is as if they said: We will not be pleased with you even if you strive greatly to earn our pleasure until you follow our religion. This is a statement of despair from them towards the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, regarding their entering into Islam. So Allah, glorified and exalted is He, narrated their words. Therefore, He said: Say, 'Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the guidance,' in response to their saying. This means that the guidance of Allah, which is Islam, is the true guidance that can rightly be called guidance. It is the complete guidance, and there is no guidance beyond it. What you invite them to follow is not guidance; it is merely desires. Do you not see His saying: 'And if you follow their desires,' meaning their sayings which are desires and innovations, 'after what has come to you of knowledge,' meaning from the religion whose correctness is established by sound proofs?