(208–209) “O you who believe, enter into Islam completely and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. Indeed, he is an open enemy to you. * But if you falter after the clear proofs have come to you, then know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”

This is a command from Allah Most High to the believers to “enter into Islam completely”—that is, to observe all the laws of the religion without abandoning any of them. They must not be among those who take their own desires as their god: obeying a prescribed command when it accords with their desires, but abandoning it when it conflicts with them. Rather, their desires must be subordinate to the religion. A person must perform every good deed within his ability; as for what lies beyond his ability, he must commit himself to it and intend to perform it, and thus attain its reward through his intention.

Since entering into Islam completely is neither possible nor conceivable without rejecting Satan’s ways, He says: “And do not follow Satan’s footsteps”—that is, by committing acts of disobedience to Allah. “Indeed, he is an open enemy to you.” An open enemy commands nothing but evil, indecency, and whatever will harm you.

Since a servant will inevitably fall into shortcomings and errors, Allah Most High says: “But if you falter after the clear proofs have come to you”—that is, knowingly and with certainty—“then know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”

This contains such a stern warning and cause for fear that it should compel one to avoid faltering. For when a sinner disobeys the Almighty, the All-Subduing (1), the All-Wise, He subdues him by His power and punishes him as His wisdom dictates. Indeed, part of His wisdom is to punish disobedient sinners and offenders.