Thus, the wording of these verses indicates that the path of guidance rests with Allah. Abū al-Faraj ibn al-Jawzī mentioned three interpretations of the first verse, whereas for the other two verses he mentioned only one interpretation.

Concerning that verse, he said:

“They held three views concerning the meaning of these words.

First: By ‘this,’ He means sincere devotion. The meaning is therefore: ‘Sincere devotion is a straight path to Me,’ with ‘upon Me’ meaning ‘to Me.’

Second: This is a path whose travelers must pass before Me, for I lie in wait and shall recompense them for their deeds. This is expressed as a threat, just as you might say to someone with whom you are disputing, ‘Your path passes by me.’ It is thus like His saying:

‘Indeed, your Lord is ever watchful.’

Third: This is a path whose straightness rests with Me; that is, I guarantee its straightness through clarification and proof.”

He said: “Qatādah and Ya‘qūb read: ‘This is a lofty path,’ meaning ‘elevated.’”

I say: These three interpretations were mentioned by earlier scholars, such as al-Tha‘labī, al-Wāhidī and al-Baghawī, who also mentioned a fourth interpretation. They said—the wording is al-Baghawī’s, whose work is an abridgment of al-Tha‘labī’s: