6:137
Even so, in the eyes of most of the pagans, their “partners” made alluring the slaughter of their children, in order to lead them to their own destruction, and cause confusion in their religion. If Allah had willed, they would not have done so: But leave alone them and their inventions.
Ali explains that in many ancient societies, including among the Arabs, false gods and idols were believed to demand human sacrifices. Although such acts are naturally abhorrent to human beings, pagan traditions portrayed them as sacred rituals and falsely associated them with religious devotion. According to Ali, the continuation of such practices would ultimately lead to the moral and social destruction of those who uphold them, reducing religion to a collection of harmful and irrational superstitions (Ali, 1989).
References:
Yusuf Ali, Abdullah. Translation and Commentary of the Quran.