Benefits:

1. One benefit of the two verses is that the detailed explanation follows the general statement. Allah Most High says, “Guide us to the straight path.” This is general. He then says, “The path of those whom You have blessed.” This provides the detail. Presenting a matter generally and then explaining it in detail is beneficial: when the soul first hears the general statement, it anticipates and eagerly awaits the detailed explanation. When that explanation comes, it is received by a soul already prepared and eager to accept it. There is also a second benefit here: it clarifies that those whom Allah has blessed are upon the straight path.

2. Another benefit is that the blessing of guidance granted to those whom Allah has blessed is attributed to Allah Most High alone, for it is purely a grace from Him.

3. Another benefit is that people fall into three categories: those whom Allah has blessed, those who have incurred wrath, and those who have gone astray. These categories have already been explained.

The causes of departing from the straight path are either ignorance or obstinate rejection. Those whose departure is caused by obstinate rejection are the ones who have incurred wrath, foremost among them the Jews. Those whose departure is caused by ignorance include everyone who does not know the truth, foremost among them the Christians. This applies to their condition before the Prophetic mission—I mean the Christians. After the Prophetic mission, however, they came to know the truth but opposed it. They thus became the same as the Jews: all of them have incurred wrath.

4. Another benefit of the two verses is the eloquence of the Quran. Those who have incurred wrath are described with a passive participle, indicating that wrath upon them comes from Allah Most High and from His allies.

5. Another benefit is that what is more severe is mentioned first. Allah Most High mentions those who have incurred wrath before those who have gone astray because they oppose the truth more severely than those who are astray. A person who opposes the truth knowingly is less likely to return than one who opposes it out of ignorance.