who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.”

Yet it may be mentioned alongside another term, as in His saying:

“Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our affairs.”

Likewise, when “guidance” is mentioned without qualification, it encompasses both the knowledge with which Allah sent His Messenger and acting upon it. It therefore includes everything Allah has commanded, as in His saying:

“Guide us to the straight path.”

What is meant is a request both to know the truth and to act upon it. The same applies to His saying:

“A guidance for the pious.”

This means that they know what it contains and act upon it, and that is why they have become successful. Likewise, the people of Paradise say:

“Praise be to Allah, who guided us to this.”

He guided them by inspiring them with beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. Yet guidance may be mentioned alongside being chosen, as in His saying:

“And We chose them and guided them to a straight path.”

And in His saying:

“He was grateful for His favours; He chose him and guided him.”

“Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him.”

Likewise, He, Exalted is He, says:

“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth.”

Here, guidance means faith, and the religion of truth means Islam. When guidance is mentioned without qualification, however, it is like faith mentioned without qualification: it includes both.

When “misguidance” is mentioned without qualification, it encompasses anyone who has strayed from guidance, whether deliberately or out of ignorance, and it follows that he will be punished. Thus He says:

“Indeed, they found their forefathers astray, so they hasten to follow in their footsteps.”

And He says:

“Our Lord, we obeyed our leaders and our elders, and they led us astray from the path. Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse.”

And He says:

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

Yet misguidance may be mentioned alongside waywardness and wrath, as in His saying:

“Your companion has not gone astray