(… إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم…) (…except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers…): Meaning, what you worship are nothing but meaningless names that do not have any power or strength. These gods are just names that you have inherited from your forefathers.

(… مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ…) (…for which Allah has sent down no authority…): The authority means the proof; that is, the evidence of reason, argument, and demonstration.

(… إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ…) (…Legislation is not but for Allah…): The command, power, and authority belong just to Allah (swt). Yusuf (PBUH) clarifies to them that even if he gives them an interpretation of the dreams now, he is communicating Allah’s decree. In every matter of this world and the Hereafter, in our livelihood, our work, and in all aspects of our affairs, the judgment belongs to Allah (swt).

(… أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ…) (…He has commanded that you worship not except Him…): Worship is not merely what some believe to be just prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and almsgiving. Rather, worship is to obey Allah’s orders and keep away from His prohibitions.

(… ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ…) (…That is the correct religion,…): This is the religion that upholds values.

(... وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ) (…  but most of the people do not know):  But most people do not realize that this faith is the only religion that guides to the Right Path.