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)
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
Those people who used to worship the jinn—when the jinn became Muslim, even then their worshippers continued in their devotion, although those jinn were no longer pleased with this act, because now they themselves were seeking some means to attain closeness to Allah.
Perhaps the worshippers were unaware that the jinn had become Muslim.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 4714