I say:

This is the view of one of the later scholars, who took qasd to mean “intention”: that is, your intention to take the path as you go and return rests with Him. These are the words of someone who has not understood the verse. For “the straight path” means the upright path; in other words, “Upon Him is the straight path.” “Path” is a generic noun, which is why He says:

“And some paths deviate.”

That is, upon Him is the straight among paths, while some paths deviate. Thus, He joins the term to a generic noun in a genitive construction relating a particular kind to its genus: “the straight among paths,” just as you say “a garment of khazz fabric.” This is why He says:

“And some paths deviate.”

As for anyone who supposes that the implied wording is “your intending to take the path,” this fails to accord with the verse’s wording and construction in several respects.

Regarding the verse in Sūrat al-Hijr, Ibn ‘Atiyya mentioned only al-Kisā’ī’s interpretation, which is the weakest of the interpretations. He mentioned the correct meaning as an explanation of the alternative reading, noting that a group of the early generations read the words as “exalted and straight,” with the first word signifying loftiness and elevation.

He said:

“On this reading, ‘this’ refers to sincerity. When Iblīs excepted those who were sincere, Allah said to him: ‘This sincerity is an exalted, straight path; you cannot reach those who follow it through your attempts to mislead them.’”

He said:

“The majority read it as ‘a straight path incumbent upon Me.’ On this reading, ‘this’ refers to the division of people into those who go astray and those who are sincere. When Iblīs distinguished these two