Allah has strictly said here that, He will not forgive those who put up His creatures in rivalry against Him, and prove co- sharers for Allah.

      The relation and connection of this verse with its foregoing ones, is on the basis that; both the Jews and the Christians are somehow and to some extent polytheists! It has been narratted from the Commander of the Faithful, Hazrat Ali (AS) that this verse is the most promising and hopeful of verses, for giving confidence to Monotheists, and affirming that God may forgive all our sins other than Polytheism. Causes and means of being forgiven are numerous; some of which are as undermentioned:

      1- Repentance of the past evil deeds and decision to do good henceforth.

      2- Extraordinary good deeds that may obliterate our bad deeds.

      3- The intercession which was explained in comments of S2: 48.

      4- Avoiding great and heinous sins by which the little sins might be forgiven.

      5- God's extensive pardon and Mercy for those who deserve it.