And when he knew this, that He, glorified and exalted is He, is the sole disposer of what He wills as He wills, in terms of prevention and enabling, and that the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, found in their denial of him - despite his bringing forth what cannot be denied in any way - a hardship that only Allah, glorified and exalted is He, knows the extent of it. And the knowledge of the one who is distressed that he has a savior who alleviates his burden, and his knowledge of His ability to do what is intended from him, confirmed for his eyes a reason for the completeness of His ability. His saying, alleviating him, upon him the best prayers and peace, draws attention to the speech of the individual, specifying the intended meaning, increasing the tranquility of the heart and the expansion of the chest: "So leave Me" meaning leave Me in whatever state may have occurred. "And whoever denies" meaning he brings about denial for whoever recites what has been renewed in its revelation from my ancient words, in whatever state the occurrence may be. And he specified the pronoun as a threat to each one of the deniers: "by this narration" meaning because of it, meaning let me be between them and leave all their matters to me, and do not concern yourself with anything of it at all, for I will suffice you against them, for there is no barrier from them, so do not worry about them at all.

And when it was as if it was said: And what will you do in it if you leave between you and him? He answered him with his saying, gathering the pronoun so that the singular is threatened in a more emphatic way: "We will gradually lead them on" meaning we will take them by our greatness, soon, unexpectedly, with a promise that there is no failure in it, and we will bring them closer to destruction, step by step, through whomever we will from our soldiers, and without intermediary by what we bestow upon them of blessings that necessitate [upon them] gratitude, so they will make it a reason for increasing disbelief, and we will necessitate for them punishment. And when the taking of a person from his place of safety in a state of heedlessness by involving him in the causes of destruction does not make him feel destruction except when he cannot escape from it in any way, Allah, the Exalted, said: "From where" meaning from directions "they do not know" meaning they do not gain knowledge at any time of its dangers. And that is because He, glorified and exalted is He, deceives them with delay and does not hasten them with punishment at the time of disobedience, as is the case for one who is intended for good, so he awakens, but He gives them respite and extends them with blessings until the thought of remembrance departs from them, so they appear to be enjoying outwardly, but in reality they are being gradually led to destruction. They say: You have said: Indeed, destiny is overflowing beyond decree, and that deeds [are decree] and their recompense is destiny. And they say: Our actions in this world are ugly, and we do not see their recompense except what pleases us, were it not that Allah punishes us for what we say, then you are liars in your threatening us, for whenever we commit what you call disobedience, a blessing is renewed for us. And that is how it led them to their gradual destruction while they are in utmost desire. Al-Qushayri said: And gradual leading is that He intends evil and conceals from its possessor the direction of intention until He takes him suddenly, so he is gradually led to it, piece by piece.