They also argue that He did not call inspiring the wicked with the path of wickedness “guidance,” but rather called it misguidance, whereas Allah mentions His guidance as a blessing.

Those holding the other view may reply: This does not fall under guidance in its unqualified sense, but it does fall under guidance in a qualified sense, as in His words:

“Guide them to the path of Hellfire.”

The same applies to the expression “glad tidings,” as He says:

“Give them tidings of a painful punishment.”

And to the word “faith,” as He says:

“They believe in superstition and false objects of worship.”

These same two interpretations apply to His words:

“And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness.”

Some say this means making both clear to everyone. Others say that He inspired the wicked with wickedness and the righteous with righteousness. The latter interpretation is more evident in that verse, because “inspiration” commonly refers to inspiration within hearts, not to the outward clarification by which proof is established. When Husayn al-Khuzā‘ī embraced Islam, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught him to say:

“O Allah, inspire me to right guidance and protect me from the evil of my own soul.”

If inspiration meant outward clarification, this would already be available to both Muslim and disbeliever.

Ibn ‘Atiyyah said:

“‘Fashioned in due proportion’ means that He made things well-balanced and perfected them, so that they became properly ordered, indicating His power and oneness. The majority of Quran reciters read qaddara (‘determined’) with a doubled d, so it may be