وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً لِّيَكُونُوا۟ لَهُمْ عِزًّا
21:25; 36:75.
Commentary:
The verse may signify that disbelievers erect big houses of worship in the name of their idols so that it may redound to their honour and good name, or that they worship false deities seeking thereby nearness to God. To the latter meaning of the verse reference has also been made in 39:4 where it is stated: And those who take for protectors others beside Him say, we serve them only that they may bring us near to Allah in station
21:25; 36:75.