And when the decree was: "Rather, the matter is for Him - glorified and exalted is He - alone;" He followed it with His saying - clarifying His ability regarding what He has done with them; in a more general manner -: "And to Allah belongs"; meaning: the Greatest King; alone; "whatever is in the heavens"; meaning: all of it; despite its greatness; from the rational beings; and others; and He expressed it with 'whatever'; because the non-rational beings are more numerous; and it is more appropriate for it; "and whatever is in the earth"; likewise; in ownership and dominion; for He does in His ownership and dominion what He wills; and in the expression with 'whatever'; there is also an indication that the disbelievers; to whom the context refers; are among those who do not have reason. And when all categories return to two divisions: well-being; and punishment; he said - translating that; affirming his saying: "You have no say in the matter" [Aal 'Imran: 128] -: "He forgives whom He wills"; meaning: from them; and from others; so He gives him what He wills of the good of this world; and the Hereafter; and makes him independent of usury; and others; "and punishes whom He wills"; by withholding what he desires of the good of the two abodes; there is no objection to Him; for if He punishes the obedient; and grants ease to the disobedient; that would be good from Him; and nothing is inappropriate from Him; nor is there any objection to Him in any way; this is the implication of the verse; and it does not necessitate that He does; or does not do. And when the Prophet - blessings and peace be upon him - was greatly enraged with them for the sake of Allah, it was fitting for him to seek revenge against them; by supplication; or otherwise; He - glorified and exalted is He - indicated to him to pardon; to encourage the cultivation of the morals of Allah; whose mercy precedes His anger; by His saying: "And Allah"; meaning: the One who is characterized by majesty and honor; "is Forgiving and Merciful"; meaning: He erases sins; in essence and effect; and is generous thereafter with various forms of honor; thus this applies to the clarification of: "You have no say" [Aal 'Imran: 128]; and to his understanding that necessitates the belief that the matter belongs to Him - glorified and exalted is He - alone. And when He revealed to him that; and what is at the end of "An-Nahl"; regarding the patient and the forgiving; He prohibited mutilation; and His prohibition against it was severe; so he would not deliver a sermon except that he forbade it.