I would meet you with forgiveness equal to it.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhī, who judged it a ḥasan (sound) report.

“ʿInān al-samāʾ” (the very skyline of the heavens) — the ʿayn carries a fatḥa. Some scholars say it means whatever of the sky becomes visible when you raise your head; others say it denotes the clouds. “Qarāb al-arḍ” (an earthful) — with a ḍamma on the qāf, though a kasra has also been reported; the ḍamma is sounder and more widespread. The expression refers to that which almost fills the earth. Allah knows best.

Explanation
The author, may Allah have mercy on him, entitled this section “The Virtue of Hope.” After citing the texts that inspire hope and illustrate the vastness of Allah’s bounty and generosity, he highlighted the excellence of hope itself and that a person ought to yearn for Allah’s favor and look forward to what is with Him.

He then quoted the words of the righteous servant — the believing man from Pharaoh’s household who concealed his faith. He was a sincere adviser to his people, reasoning with them and proving to them the falsity of what they followed and the truth that Moses brought. In the end he said to them: “You will remember what I am telling you. I entrust my affair to Allah; truly Allah is All-Seeing of His servants” (Ghafir 40:44).

“I entrust my affair to Allah” means that I consign it wholly to Him, relying on none besides Him and hoping in no one but Him. The verse continues: “So Allah protected him from the evil of their plotting, while the people of Pharaoh were surrounded by the worst punishment” (Ghafir 40:45). In other words, Allah shielded him from the harm of their schemes, and Pharaoh’s clan were overtaken by severe torment.