Accordingly, when the Scripture was sent down the Most High rewarded the people of righteousness by granting them success in believing in it—recompense for their virtue and obedience—while He forsook the people of depravity, lewdness, and injustice, barring them from finding guidance through it.

The second point is that when a servant believes in the Book and is guided by it in general terms—accepting its commands and affirming its reports—this becomes the cause of another, more detailed guidance. Guidance itself has no ceiling: however high a servant may rise, above his level lies yet another, and above that another without end. Each time the servant increases in taqwā (God-consciousness) he ascends to a higher stage of guidance; he is in continual increase so long as his taqwā grows. Conversely, whenever he forfeits a portion of taqwā he is deprived of a corresponding portion of guidance. Thus, the more he fears Allah, the more his guidance multiplies, and the more he is guided, the greater his taqwā becomes.

Allah, exalted is He, says:
“Indeed there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to hide of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book (15) by which Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the ways of peace, brings them out of darkness into light by His permission, and guides them to a straight path (16).” ⦗al-Māʾidah: 15–16⦘

He also says: “Allah selects for Himself whom He wills, and He guides to Himself whoever turns back in repentance.” ⦗al-Shūrā: 13⦘

And: “The one who fears will take heed.” ⦗al-Aʿlā: 10⦘

And: “But none takes heed except whoever turns (to Him).” ⦗Ghāfir: 13⦘

And: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds—their Lord will guide them by virtue of their faith.” ⦗Yūnus: 9⦘

Thus He guided them first to faith; and once they had believed, He guided them through that very faith, bestowing guidance upon guidance.