His words, Exalted is He:

He directs the command from the heaven to the earth…

He said:

He reveals to His servants from His knowledge^{1That is translating ʿilmihi according to all three MSS (Z515, f. 86b, F638, f. 40a and F3488, f. 260b) instead of amrihi in the published edition.} that which is a means of guidance (hudā) and salvation (najāt) for them. The person who is content with the destined provision (rizq al-qaḍāʾ) resulting from God’s management [of things] (tadbīr) for him, will have the evil of his own devising (tadbīr) disposed of and removed from him. Thus [God] will have returned him to a state of contentment (riḍā) with the divine decree (qaḍāʾ), and rectitude (istiqāma) in the face of the unfolding course of what is destined for him. [Such people] are among those who are brought into proximity [with Him] (muqarrabūn). Truly, God, Exalted is He, created people without any veil, and then made their devising [for themselves] (tadbīr) into their veil.^{2The saying is also cited in Makkī, Qūt al-qulūb, vol. 2, p. 9.}

His words, Exalted is He:

If it had been Our will, We would have given every soul its [means to] guidance…

He said:

If it had been Our will, We would have brought to fulfilment all that the people of truth call for, and invalidated the arguments of the people of falsehood (mubṭalūn).

His words, Exalted is He:

Only those believe in Our signs, who, when they are reminded of them, fall down in prostration…

He said:

The servant will not experience the joy of faith until his knowledge vanquishes his ignorance, ⸢his [awareness of] the Hereafter dominates⸣ his heart, his compassion ⸢rules over his anger, and mercy is upon his heart.⸣^{1The additions are made on the basis of all three MSS (Z515, f. 86b, F638, f. 40a and F3488, f. 261a), which have: wa yakūnu al-ghālib ʿalā qalbihi ʿākhiratuhu and taghallaba raḥmatuhu sakhṭahu wa yakūnu ʿalā qalbihi al-raḥma.}

His words, Exalted is He:

Their sides withdraw from their beds…

Verily, God, Exalted is He, bestowed on a people a gift (hiba), which is that He brought them close to Him to call upon Him [in intimate proximity] (munājātihi). Then he made them the people who are a means (wasīla) and connection (ṣila) [to] Him,^{1Perhaps what is meant are people who, through their spiritual qualities, act as agents of God in the creation, and help to connect people with Him. We shall see an example of this described later in the commentary on 57:20.} and then He praised them ⸢for this,⸣^{2Added on the basis of all three MSS: MSS Z515, f. 87b, F638, f. 40a and F3488, f. 260b.} as a manifestation of [His] generosity,^{3Translating iẓhāran li-karamihi according to MSS Z515, f. 87a and F3488, f. 260b, or iẓhāran li-karāmatihi according to F638, f. 4oa, instead of iẓhār al-karam according to the published edition.} in that He granted them success in what He assisted them in doing. So He said, Their sides withdraw from their beds.

His words, Exalted is He:

…[while] they supplicate their Lord in fear and in hope…

He said:

That is, in fear of being separated (hijrān) from Him, and in the hope of meeting (liqāʾ) Him.

His words, Mighty and Majestic is He:

No person knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden [in reserve] for them…^{1Among the rewards of Paradise.}

He said:

Their eyes ⸢delight⸣ at the outward and inward realities that they witness, which are revealed to them in the way of ⸢knowledge (ʿulūm)⸣^{2Both additions have been made on the basis of all three MSS: Z515, f. 87a, F638 f. 41a and F3488, f. 261a.} of unveiling (mukāshafa). So they behold them and hold on to them such that their eyes delight and their hearts find tranquil repose in them. Others, however are unaware of what is hidden [in reserve] for them. But God, Glorified and Exalted is He, knows best.