to ask Him for in their prayers, saying:

“Guide us to the straight path—the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have incurred Your anger, nor of those who have gone astray.”

It is the path He enjoined in His words:

“And this is My path, which is straight, so follow it. Do not follow other ways, lest they lead you away from His way. This He has enjoined upon you, so that you may fear Him.”

His word “this” refers to what was mentioned earlier in His words:

“Except Your chosen servants among them.”

Thus, the servants’ worship of Him, devoting their religion sincerely to Him alone, is a path that points to Him, and it is a straight path. This is why He said immediately afterward:

“Indeed, you have no authority over My servants.”

When explaining the other verse, Ibn ‘Atiyyah stated that this was the meaning of this verse, citing it as evidence, even though he had not mentioned this meaning in his commentary on this verse itself. Thus, he recognized this meaning through his innate disposition. Yet when he explained the verse itself, he mentioned that other interpretation, seemingly because it happened to be the one he had seen someone else give there.

He said—may Allah have mercy on him:

“His words, ‘It is for Allah to show the straight way, though some ways deviate,’ also describe one of Allah Most High’s greatest blessings. That is, it is for Allah to set the path of guidance straight and make it clear, by establishing proofs and sending messengers. This is the interpretation adopted by the commentators.”

He said:

“It may also mean that whoever follows the straight way has a path leading to Allah, and that is his ultimate destination. This would then be like His words, ‘This is a path to Me