There must be an omitted addition, its estimation being. And the example of the caller of those who disbelieved is like the example of the one who calls out to the animals. The meaning is: And the example of their caller to faith - in that they hear from the call only the sound of the tone and the echo of the voice, without any engagement of minds or insight - is like the one calling to the animals, which do not hear anything but the call of the caller and his call, which is merely a sound and a reprimand for them, and they do not comprehend anything else nor understand, as the rational ones do understand and comprehend. It is possible that what is meant by what they do not hear is the deaf person, who hears from the words of the one raising his voice only the call and the sound, nothing more, without understanding the letters. It has been said that its meaning is: And their example in following their forefathers and imitating them is like the example of the animals that do not hear anything but the surface sound and do not understand what is beneath it. So likewise, these people follow them based on their apparent state and do not comprehend whether they are upon truth or falsehood. It has also been said that their example in calling upon the idols is like the one calling out to what does not hear, except that his saying 'except a call and a cry' does not support this, because the idols do not hear anything. And the calling out is the sound. It is said: The caller called out, and the shepherd called out to the sheep. Al-Akhtal said: 'So call out to your sheep, O Jarir, for indeed your soul has led you to delusion in the empty space.' [This is attributed to Al-Akhtal. And 'calling out' is pronounced with a silent 'ain' when referring to the sound made to the sheep. And 'the crow's call' is pronounced with a 'ghain' when it caws. Meaning: Sound for your sheep, O Jarir, and suffice with that instead of boasting, for you are not of its people; you are merely a shepherd of sheep. Your soul has spoken to you and promised you and led you astray in the empty space away from people with delusion and lies, not guidance and truth as you claim. And Jarir criticized him with the saying: 'And the Taghlibi, when he clears his throat for the guests, scratches his chin and recites proverbs.' Al-Akhtal responded to him with the saying: 'A people, when their dog barks at the guests, say to their mother,