Narrated `Abdullah:Regarding the explanation of the Verse: 'Those whom they call upon (worship) (like Jesus the Son of Mary, angels etc.) desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah) as to which of them should be the nearer and they hope for His Mercy and fear His torment.' (17.57) They themselves (e.g. Angels, saints, Apostles, Jesus, etc.,) worshipped Allah, Those Jinns who were worshipped by some Arabs became Muslims (embraced Islam), but those human beings stuck to their (old) religion. Al- A`mash said extra: 'Say, (O Muhammad): Call unto those besides Him whom you assume (to be gods).' (17.56)
حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، {إِلَى رَبِّهِمِ الْوَسِيلَةَ} قَالَ كَانَ نَاسٌ مِنَ الإِنْسِ يَعْبُدُونَ نَاسًا مِنَ الْجِنِّ، فَأَسْلَمَ الْجِنُّ، وَتَمَسَّكَ هَؤُلاَءِ بِدِينِهِمْ. زَادَ الأَشْجَعِيُّ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ. {قُلِ ادْعُوا الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ}
Bukhari
Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)) • Hadith 236