as a new, independent statement. Evidence for this interpretation is Ibn Mas‘ud’s recitation, may Allah be pleased with him: “And whatever evil it has done, it will wish that there were a great distance between itself and it.”
Regarding His words, Exalted is He, “It will wish that there were a great distance between itself”—that is, the soul—“and it”—meaning, the evil—“”: al-Suddi said, “A distant place.” Muqatil said, “Like the distance between east and west.” An amad is a term and the furthest point to which one comes. Al-Hasan said, “Each of them would be pleased never to encounter his deed.” It was also said that it wishes it had never done it. “Allah warns you about Himself, and Allah is Most Kind to His servants.”
“Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ (31) Say, ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then indeed Allah does not love the disbelievers. (32)”
Regarding His words, Exalted is He, “Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you’”: this was revealed concerning the Jews and Christians when they said, “We are Allah’s children and His beloved.” (1)
Al-Dahhak related from Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, came upon Quraysh while they were in the Sacred Mosque. They had set up their idols, hung ostrich eggs upon them, placed earrings in their ears (2), and were prostrating to them. He said, “O assembly of Quraysh, by Allah, you have departed from the religion of your forefathers Abraham and Ishmael.” (3) Quraysh said to him, “We worship them only out of love for Allah, so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.” Thereupon Allah, Exalted is He, said: Say, O Muhammad, “If you love Allah and worship idols so that they may bring you nearer to Him, then follow me; Allah will love you. For I am His Messenger to you and His proof against you.” That is, follow my sacred law and my sunnah, and Allah will love you. Thus, the believers’ love for Allah consists in following His command, giving preference to obedience to Him, and seeking His good pleasure; while Allah’s love for the believers consists in His praise of them, His rewarding them, and His pardoning them. This is the meaning of His words, Exalted is He: “And forgive your sins. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
It was also said that, when this verse was revealed, Abdullah ibn Ubayy said to his companions, “Muhammad equates obedience to himself with obedience to Allah, and commands us to love him just as the Christians loved Jesus, son of Mary.” Then His words, Exalted is He, were revealed: “Say, ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away”—that is, turn away from obeying them both—“then indeed Allah does not love the disbelievers.” He neither approves of their deeds nor forgives them.
Abd al-Wahid al-Mulayhi informed us; Ahmad ibn Abdullah al-Nu‘aymi informed us; Muhammad ibn Yusuf informed us; Muhammad ibn Isma‘il informed us; Muhammad ibn Sinan informed us; Fulayh informed us; Hilal ibn Ali informed us from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar, from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “All of my ummah will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They asked, “And who would refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter