That is, in the plural: by the paths that lead them to triumph and salvation. The others recited, “by their success,” in the singular, because mafāzah means triumph; that is, He saves them from the Fire through their triumph, attained by their righteous deeds. Al-Mubarrad said: Mafāzah is a noun derived from triumph, and the plural form is also sound, just as one may say happiness and happinesses. “No evil will touch them”: no harm will befall them. “Nor will they grieve.”
“Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is in charge of all things. To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. Those who disbelieve in Allah’s signs are the true losers. Say, ‘Is it other than Allah that you command me to worship, O ignorant ones?’ It has been revealed to you and to those before you: ‘If you associate others with Allah, your deeds will surely come to nothing, and you will certainly be among the losers.’ Rather, worship Allah and be among the grateful. They have not duly appraised Allah. On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be within His grasp, and the heavens folded in His right hand. Glory be to Him! Exalted is He above what they associate with Him.” (62–67)
“Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is in charge of all things”: that is, all things are entrusted to Him, and He is the One who preserves them.
“To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth”: the keys to the treasuries of the heavens and the earth. ⦗108a⦘ Its singular may be miqlād, on the pattern of miftāḥ (“key”), or miqlīd, on the pattern of mandīl (“handkerchief”), plural manādīl. Qatadah and Muqatil said: the keys of the heavens and the earth are those of provision and mercy. Al-Kalbi said: the treasuries of rain and the treasuries of vegetation. “Those who disbelieve in Allah’s signs are the true losers.”
Allah, exalted is He, says: “Say, ‘Is it other than Allah that you command me to worship, O ignorant ones?’” Muqatil said: This was because the disbelievers of Quraysh called him to the religion of his forefathers. The Syrian reciters read ta'murūnanī, with two ungeminated nūns, in accordance with the original form. The Medinan reciters read it with one ungeminated nūn, by omission; while the others read it with one geminated nūn, through assimilation.
“It has been revealed to you and to those before you: ‘If you associate others with Allah, your deeds will surely come to nothing’”—that is, the deeds you performed before associating partners with Allah. Though this address is directed to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, what is intended is others besides him. It was also said: this is instruction from Allah, exalted is He, to His Prophet and a warning to others, for Allah had preserved him from associating partners with Him. “And you will certainly be among the losers.”
“Rather, worship Allah and be among the grateful”—for His blessings upon you.
Allah, exalted is He, says: “They have not duly appraised Allah”: they did not magnify Him as He deserves to be magnified when they associated others with Him. He then informed of His greatness, saying: “On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be within His grasp, and the heavens folded in His right hand. Glory be to Him! Exalted is He above what they associate with Him.”