a man who intends to do wrong or contemplates a sin, but then refrains from it.”

This is like His saying, Most High:

“But as for one who feared standing before his Lord and restrained his soul from its desires, Paradise will surely be his refuge.”

And His saying:

“For whoever fears standing before his Lord there will be two gardens.”

Mujāhid and other Quran commentators said: “This refers to a man who contemplates a sin, then remembers his standing before Allah and abandons it out of fear of Allah.” If “the heart’s trembling at His mention” entails awe and fear of Him, then this prompts a person to do what is commanded and refrain from what is forbidden.

Sahl ibn ʿAbd Allāh said: “No veil between the servant and Allah is thicker than the claims he makes for himself, and no path to Him is shorter than need of Him. The foundation of all good in this world and the Hereafter is fear of Allah.” This is indicated by His saying, Most High:

“When Moses’ anger subsided, he took up the tablets; their inscription contained guidance and mercy for those who stand in awe of their Lord.”

He thus declares that guidance and mercy are for those who stand in awe of Allah.

Mujāhid and Ibrāhīm said: “This refers to a man who intends to commit a sin, then remembers his standing before Allah and abandons the sin.” Ibn Abī al-Dunyā narrated this from Ibn al-Jaʿd, from Shuʿbah, from Mansūr, from them both, concerning His saying, Most High:

“For whoever fears standing before his Lord there will be two gardens.”

These are the successful ones mentioned in His saying, Most High:

“They are upon guidance from their Lord, and it is they who are successful.”

They are “the believers” and “the God-fearing” mentioned in His saying, Most High:

“Alif Lām Mīm. This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guidance for the God-fearing.”

Likewise, He says in the verse concerning righteousness:

“Those are the ones who are truthful, and it is they who are God-fearing.”

These are the ones who follow the Book, as in His saying, Most High:

“Whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor suffer misery.”

And if he does not go astray, he is a rightly guided follower,