(162–163) “Is one who pursues Allah’s pleasure like one who has incurred Allah’s wrath, whose abode is Hell—what a wretched destination! * They are of varying ranks in the sight of Allah, and Allah sees all that they do.”

Allah Most High states that one whose aim is to attain his Lord’s pleasure and act in ways pleasing to Him is not equal to one who is otherwise—one who is steeped in sin and provokes his Lord’s displeasure. These two are not equal in Allah’s judgment or wisdom, nor according to the innate disposition of Allah’s servants.

“Is one who is a believer like one who is defiantly disobedient? They are not equal.” Hence He says here: “They are of varying ranks in the sight of Allah.” That is, all of them differ in rank and station according to the differences in their deeds.

Those who pursue Allah’s pleasure strive to attain the highest ranks, stations, and lofty chambers, and Allah grants them of His bounty and generosity in proportion to their deeds. Those who pursue what incurs Allah’s displeasure strive downward through the descending levels to the lowest of the low, each according to his deeds. Allah Most High sees their deeds; none of them is hidden from Him. Rather, He has known them, recorded them in the Preserved Tablet, and charged His noble, trustworthy angels with writing them down, preserving them, and recording them precisely.