ever do anything unworthy of praise and commendation or lacking praiseworthy outcomes and desired ends. His being on a straight path rules out all of that.

Muhammad ibn Jarīr al-Tabarī said concerning His words, “Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path”:

“This means: My Lord is on the path of truth. He recompenses those of His creation who do good for their goodness, and those who do evil for their evil. He does not wrong any of them in the least, and He accepts from them nothing but Islam and faith in Him.”

He then related from Mujāhid, through Ibn Abī Najīh, that Mujāhid explained “Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path” as “the truth.” Ibn Jurayj likewise narrated this from him.

One group said that it is like His saying:

“Indeed, your Lord is ever watchful.” [89:14]

This is merely a difference in wording, for His being ever watchful means that He recompenses those who do good for their goodness, and those who do evil for their evil.

Another group said that some words are omitted, so that the intended wording is: “My Lord urges you to follow a straight path and encourages you to do so.”

If they mean that this is the intended meaning of the verse, then it is not as they claim. There is no evidence for these implied words. Moreover, He, glorified is He, has distinguished between His commanding justice and His being on a straight path.

But if they mean that His urging people to follow the straight path is included in His being on a straight path, then they are correct.

Another group said that His being on a straight path means that all servants and all affairs ultimately return to Allah, and nothing escapes Him.

If they mean that this is the meaning of the verse, that is not so. But if they mean that this is a necessary implication of His being on a straight path, something it entails and requires, then that is true.