His religion, belief in His oneness, and faith in His messengers. Allah, glorified and exalted be He, is wise and bestows His gifts where they belong.

This verse is thus like His saying, 6: 53:

“And thus We have tested some of them through others, so that they might say, ‘Are these the ones whom Allah has favoured from among us?’ Does Allah not know best those who are grateful?”

They denied that Allah, glorified be He, had made these people fit for guidance and truth while withholding them from the leaders of the disbelievers and those among them who possessed power and wealth. It was as though they inferred that worldly gifts entailed gifts in the Hereafter. Allah therefore declared that He knows best whom to make fit for this, because of an inward quality that person possesses: appreciating the blessing’s worth, recognizing that it comes solely from the Bestower’s grace, loving Him, and thanking Him for it. Not everyone possesses this inward quality, so not everyone is made fit for this gift.

[Surah Hūd (11): verse 56]

“Indeed, I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no living creature whose forelock He does not hold. Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path.” (56)

Allah declares that His power encompasses everything, that all creation is subject to His control and power, and that He holds them by their forelocks. They cannot escape the operation of His will and power over them. He then explains that His dealings with them are marked by justice, not injustice; kindness, not harm; and goodness, not corruption. He commands and forbids out of kindness to them, to protect and safeguard them—not because He needs them or begrudges them anything, but out of generosity, munificence, goodness, and gentleness. He rewards them out of kindness, grace, and mercy—not in exchange for anything, because of any entitlement on their part, or because of any binding debt they can claim against Him. He punishes them with justice and wisdom—not out of vengeance, fear, or injustice, as kings and others do. Rather, He is on the straight path: the path of justice and kindness in His commands and prohibitions, His rewards and punishments.

Reflect on the wording of this verse: how it brings together all-encompassing power and perfect dominion with complete wisdom, justice, and kindness, and how it refutes both groups. It is one of the treasures of the Quran. It is indeed sufficient and healing for anyone to whom the door of understanding it has been opened.

His being on a straight path rules out His wronging His servants or burdening them with what