at all. If you say, “I owe him a dirham,” the omission is familiar and customary. But if you meant, “I am responsible for paying it,” or “I am responsible for weighing and safeguarding it,” or something similar, omitting those words would not be permissible. This is analogous to supplying the words “It is incumbent upon Me to explain it” in the verse. Moreover, the interpretation given by the Salaf is more suited to the context and is the loftier and greater of the two meanings.
I heard Shaykh al-Islām Taqī al-Dīn Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, say: “These two passages parallel His words:
‘Indeed, upon Us is guidance, and indeed, to Us belong the Hereafter and the first life.’ (92:12–13)
Thus, there are three passages in the Quran conveying this meaning.”
I say: Most commentators mention only the sense of obligation when discussing the surah beginning “By the night when it covers”—that is, it is incumbent upon Us to distinguish guidance from misguidance. Some, such as al-Baghawī, mention only this meaning in Surah al-Nahl, while he mentions all three interpretations in Surah al-Hijr.
Al-Wāhidī mentions both meanings in his al-Basīt when discussing Surah al-Nahl. Our teacher preferred the interpretation of Mujāhid and al-Hasan in all three surahs.
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The straight path is Allah’s path. He tells us that the path leads to Him, glorified is He, as we have explained. He also tells us that He, glorified is He, is on a straight path. This occurs in two places in the Quran: in Surahs Hūd and al-Nahl. In Surah Hūd, He says:
“There is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path.” (11:56)
And in Surah al-Nahl, He says:
“And Allah presents an example of two men: one of them is mute, unable to do anything, and a burden to his master. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice and is on a straight path?” (16:76)
This is a parable Allah sets forth concerning idols, which neither hear nor speak nor understand. An idol is a burden to its worshipper: it needs him to carry it, set it down, stand it upright, and serve it. How, then, can they equate it in worship with Allah, who commands justice and the worship of Him alone? He is powerful, speaks, and is self-sufficient. He is on a straight path in