And when he indicated the distance of faith from them at the time of their desire to attain it when the matter has passed and it is elevated above them at the time of their criticism of it in the abode of action, it translates their two states in that in a way that encompasses the fruits of faith from entering the gardens and the pleasure of the Most Merciful by his saying: ﴿And it was made to be﴾ expressing in the passive form indicating that the occurrence of the hindrance is as easy as it can be. And because the hindrance for them is the very hindrance itself, not its being from a specific person: ﴿Between them and what they desire﴾ meaning they incline towards it greatly due to the effect of their criticism and the acceptance of their faith at the time of [seeing] the punishment and from the occurrence of something of its fruits for them from the goodness of the reward [as a person sees from them - while he is in the throes of the fire - his place in the garden, which he would have had if he had believed, and he cannot reach it in any way, and if it is imagined to him that he can reach it and he aims for it, then he is prevented from it, it is more painful]. ﴿As was done﴾ [meaning] in the easiest way ﴿by their companions﴾ meaning those who disbelieved like them ﴿before﴾ meaning before [their time]. For indeed their state [was] like their state in disbelief and faith, in happiness and loss. And our matter has not been confused in any nation of the nations, but rather whenever a nation denied its messenger, we seized it. So if we made them taste our punishment, they submitted and humbled themselves, then we did not accept from them that, nor did it benefit them anything, neither by stopping our destruction of them nor by their attaining anything of goodness after their destruction. ﴿Indeed, in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or lends an ear while he is present﴾ [Q: 37]. Then he explained the lack of reaching a goal in each of the two states by his saying, affirming their denial that there is anything among them of doubt in any of their matters: ﴿Indeed, they were﴾ meaning (p-540) in the abode of acceptance a state that is like their nature ﴿in doubt﴾ meaning in all that our messengers inform them about from us regarding the recompense or otherwise ﴿causing doubt﴾ meaning a place [of] doubt. For it is eloquent in its category as it is said: a strange wonder, or it is situated in doubt as it is said: the poetry of a poet, meaning: possessing poetry. So how can they accept or their criticism penetrate or they attain a good fruit while they are without insight in any of their matters? Rather they were doubting in our power and greatness. Therefore, it is fitting for wisdom that we clarify to them the greatness through punishment [for them] and reward for our beloved ones who opposed them in us. So it became clear that they believe [in Him] at the appearance of praise, the most complete appearance, either in the Hereafter or in its preliminaries. So the secret of the declaration appeared by his saying: ﴿And to Him belongs praise in the Hereafter﴾ [Saba: 1] and that He has placed between them and what they desire. So it became clear that He is the Owner of all things, thus it is correct that to Him belongs praise in this world and in every state - and the last of it has embraced the first of it, and the end of it has connected with its beginning - and Allah, glorified and exalted is He, is the One sought for help and to Him is the return and the final destination.