Tafsir Ibn Abbas: Taa-Haa, Ayah 89
أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَلَّا يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَوْلًۭا وَلَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ ضَرًّۭا وَلَا نَفْعًۭا
Did they not see that it could not return to them any speech and that it did not possess for them any harm or benefit?
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Other Scholars on This Ayah
Tafsir
Scholars offer complementary perspectives
Did they not see that in allā an has been softened in place of the hardened form with its subject omitted in other words it should be annahu it the Calf did not reciprocate their words that is that it did not give them any response in return nor did it have any power over hurt for them that is any power to prevent it or any benefit? that is any power to procure it for them in other words how can such a thing be taken as a god?
Ibn Abbas Commentary
Allah then said: (See they not) i.e. al-Samiri and his host, (then, that it) the calf (returneth no saying unto them) does not answer them (and possesseth for them) and has no power (neither hurt) either to drive away harm from them (nor use) or bring benefit to them?