(10) “Say, ‘O My servants who believe, fear your Lord. Those who do good in this world will have good, and Allah’s earth is vast. Those who remain patient will be paid their reward without measure.’”
That is: Say, calling upon the noblest of people—the believers—and commanding them to fulfill the finest command, namely, to fear Allah. Remind them of what makes this incumbent upon them: Allah is their Lord and has bestowed His blessings upon them, which requires them to fear Him. Among these blessings is the faith Allah has graciously granted them, for faith itself calls for fear of Allah. This is like saying, “O generous man, give charity!” or, “O brave man, fight!”
He then mentions the encouraging reward they will receive in this world: “Those who do good in this world” by worshipping their Lord “will have good”: abundant provision, a contented soul, and an open heart. As Allah Most High says, “Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We shall surely grant them a good life.”
“And Allah’s earth is vast.” If you are prevented from worshipping Him in one land, then migrate to another, where you can worship your Lord and establish your religion.
When He said, “Those who do good in this world will have good,” some minds might entertain a question here: the wording is general and indicates that everyone who does good will enjoy good in this world. What, then, of a believer who lives in a land where he is persecuted and humiliated, and does not attain that good? This supposition is dispelled by His words, “And Allah’s earth is vast.” This also contains glad tidings explicitly stated by the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—when he said, “A group from my nation will continue openly upholding ⦗721⦘ the truth. Neither those who forsake them nor those who oppose them will harm them, until Allah’s command comes while they remain so.” This verse alludes to that and points directly toward it. Allah Most High informs us that His earth is vast; therefore, whenever you are prevented from worshipping Him in one place, migrate to another. This applies to every time and place. Every emigrant must therefore have a refuge among the Muslims to which he may turn, and a place where he can establish his religion.
“Those who remain patient will be paid their reward without measure.” This encompasses every kind of patience: patience with Allah’s painful decrees, without resenting them; patience in refraining from disobedience to Him, without committing it; and patience in obeying Him until that obedience is fulfilled. Allah has promised those who are patient their reward without measure—that is, without limit, number, or fixed amount. This is only because of the excellence of patience, its high rank with Allah, and the assistance it provides in every affair.