” [Noah 24]—against themselves: the chosen ones who were made inheritors of the Book. They are the first of the three groups, mentioned before the moderate and the foremost. “Except in misguidance” (24) [Noah 24]—nothing but the bewilderment of the followers of Muhammad: “Increase my bewilderment concerning You.”

“Whenever it gives them light, they walk in it; and when darkness falls upon them, they stand still” [al-Baqarah 20].

The bewildered person moves in circles, revolving around the pole without departing from it. The one in circular motion must have it, so “from” necessarily applies to him; he has no endpoint, so he is subject to “to,” toward the paucity of the fullest existence. He is the recipient of comprehensive words and wisdom.

“Because of their sins”—it was these that led their steps, and they drowned in the seas of knowledge of Allah, which is bewilderment. “They were made to enter a Fire”—within the very water, in the case of the followers of Muhammad. “And when the seas are set ablaze” (6) [al-Takwīr 6]. To stoke an oven is to kindle it.

“They found no helpers besides Allah” (25) [Noah 25]. Thus Allah was their very helpers, and they perished in Him forever. Had He brought them out onto the shore—the shore of nature—He would have lowered them from this lofty station, even though all belongs to Allah