of what is forbidden, while “have mercy on us” means: enable us to act righteously. A person will either omit an obligation or commit something unlawful. If he neglects a duty, he says, “Pardon us,” that is, overlook the shortcoming in our obligatory deeds. If he commits the forbidden, he says, “Forgive us,” meaning, absolve us of the sins we have perpetrated; and he seeks firmness and divine support for goodness when he says, “and have mercy on us.”

“You are our Protector,” that is, the One who manages our affairs in this world and the Hereafter; so take charge of us in this life and grant us victory over the disbelieving people. “So grant us victory over the disbelieving people.” Someone might assume the verse refers only to our human enemies among the disbelievers, but it is broader than that: it even includes triumph over Satan, for Satan is the leader of the disbelievers.

From these final noble verses we learn that Allah does not burden us with what we cannot bear; He only charges us according to our capacity. We also learn that the intrusive thoughts that flit through our hearts do no harm as long as we do not embrace them, feel at ease with them, or act upon them. Allah alone grants success.