This is because they were “guided to good speech,” the finest and purest of which is the declaration of pure monotheism, followed by every other good utterance that contains the remembrance of Allah or kindness toward His servants. They were also “guided to the path of the Praiseworthy”—that is, the praiseworthy path—because the revealed law in its entirety embodies wisdom and is worthy of praise: what it commands is good, and what it forbids is evil. It is the religion that admits neither excess nor neglect and encompasses beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.

Alternatively, the meaning is that they were guided to the path of Allah, the Praiseworthy. Allah often ascribes the path to Himself because it leads those who follow it to Him. The mention of “the Praiseworthy” here indicates that they attained guidance through their Lord’s grace and favor toward them. Hence they will say in Paradise: “Praise be to Allah, who guided us to this. We would never have been guided had Allah not guided us.”

The Most High interposes among these verses a mention of all creation prostrating before Him: everyone in the heavens and on earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, all living creatures—which includes every animal—and many people, namely the believers. “Yet there are many upon whom the punishment has become due”—that is, it has become inevitable and has been decreed because of their disbelief and lack of faith. Thus, He did not grant them success in believing, for Allah had disgraced them. “Whoever Allah disgraces, none can honor.” None can repel what He wills or oppose His will.

Since all creatures prostrate to their Lord, submit to His greatness, humble themselves before His might, and remain subject to His dominion, this proves that He alone is the Lord worthy of worship and the Sovereign worthy of praise. Whoever turns away from Him to worship another has strayed far astray and suffered a manifest loss.