( مثل الذين اتخذوا من دون الله أولياء ) يعني : الأصنام ، يرجون نصرها ونفعها ( كمثل العنكبوت اتخذت بيتا ) لنفسها تأوي إليه ، وإن بيتها في غاية الضعف والوهاء ، لا يدفع عنها حرا ولا بردا ، وكذلك الأوثان لا تملك لعابديها نفعا ولا ضرا . ( وإن أوهن البيوت لبيت العنكبوت لو كانوا يعلمون )
The example of the idolaters who took idols whom they worshipped other than Allah in the hope that they will benefit them or intercede for them is like that of a spider that builds a house to protect it from heat and cold and from an assault against it. The frailest of all houses is the spider’s as it does not ward off any cold nor prevent any heat. Similarly, their idols will not benefit nor harm nor intercede. If the idolaters knew that, they would not have taken idols that they worship besides Allah.