Sa'd reported: This verse was revealed in relation to six persons and I and Ibn Mas'ud were amongst them. The polytheists said to him (the Holy Prophet): Do not keep such persons near you. It was upon this that (this verse was revealed):" Drive not away those who call upon their Lord morning and evening desiring only His pleasure" (vi. 52).
Sa'd reported: We were six men in the company of Allah's Messenger (, nay peace be upon him) that the polytheists said to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ): Drive them away so that they may not be overbold upon us. He said: I, Ibn Mas'ud and a person from the tribe of Hudhail, Bilal and two other persons, whose names I do not know (were amongst such persons). And there occurred to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) what. Allah wished and he talked with himself that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed:" Do not drive away those who call their Lord morning and evening desiring to seek His pleasure."