Tafsir of Fussilat 41:30

(Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah"): This is the beginning of an exposition regarding the virtuous state of the believers in both this world and the Hereafter, following the exposition of the wretched state of the disbelievers in both. That is, they said it in acknowledgment of His divinity (the Exalted) and in affirmation of His oneness, as is indicated by the exclusivity implied by defining both subject and predicate—similar to the construction "My friend is Zayd."

(Then they remained steadfast): They persisted in this affirmation and did not return to polytheism. It is narrated from the Truthful One (al-Siddiq), may Allah be pleased with him, that he recited this verse—which was revealed, as narrated by Ibn Abbas, regarding those who remained steadfast—and then said: "What do you say about it?" They said: "They did not sin." He replied: "You have taken the matter to its most extreme interpretation." They asked: "Then what do you say?" He replied: "They did not return to the worship of idols."

From Umar, may Allah be pleased with him: "They remained steadfast to Allah (the Exalted) by obeying Him, and they did not swerve like foxes." From Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him: "They made their deeds sincere." From the Commander, Ali (may Allah honor his face): "They performed the obligatory duties." Al-Thawri said: "They acted in accordance with what they said." Al-Fudayl said: "They abstained from the fleeting (world) and longed for the everlasting (Hereafter)." Al-Rabi' said: "They turned away from everything other than Allah (the Exalted)."

In al-Kashshaf: "Then they remained steadfast in that affirmation and its requirements." The intention is that whoever says "My Lord is Allah (the Exalted)" has acknowledged that He (the Mighty and Majestic) is his Master, the Disposer of his affairs, and his Sustainer, and that he is a slave, sustained, before his Master. Therefore, steadfastness regarding its requirements is that his foot does not slip from the path of servitude, neither in heart nor in deed, and that he does not swerve from it. This encompasses all acts of worship and beliefs. For this reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to one who asked for a matter to which he could hold fast: "Say, 'My Lord is Allah,' and then remain steadfast."

It is noted that what has been narrated from the Rightly-Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them) are instances of this meaning, each mentioned by way of example. It is not hidden that the words of the Truthful One (may Allah be pleased with him) make it unlikely that what he mentioned was merely by way of example. Perhaps the "then" (thumma) here denotes a sequential rank, for remaining steadfast upon it is greater and more difficult than the initial affirmation. The same may be said regarding most of the preceding interpretations. It is also permissible that it denotes temporal succession, as it occurs after a period of time from the moment of affirmation. Making it denote sequential rank regarding the interpretation of steadfastness as performing obligatory duties or working for the Hereafter is also built upon the fact that affirmation is the starting point of that steadfastness; this is the opposite of the sequential rank mentioned earlier, for in the latter, the conjoined element is of a higher rank than the one it is joined to, as it is the pillar and foundation. In the former, the conjoined element is of a higher rank than the one it is joined to, as is evident.

(The angels will descend upon them): From Allah, their Lord (the Mighty and Majestic). Mujahid and al-Suddi said: "At the time of death." Muqatil said: "At the time of the resurrection." It is also narrated from Zayd ibn Aslam: "At the time of death, in the grave, and at the time of the resurrection." It is said: "They descend upon them to support them in whatever religious or worldly matters befall them, by expanding their chests and dispelling fear and grief through the way of inspiration, just as the disbelievers are misled by the evil companions appointed to them, who beautify for them their ugly deeds." It is said: This is the most apparent view, due to its absolute and general nature, which encompasses their descent at the three aforementioned locations and elsewhere. We have already presented to you that people say the angels descend upon the righteous at many times and that they receive from them what they receive, so recall that.

(Do not fear): Regarding what you are approaching, for fear is grief that attaches itself due to the expectation of something disliked.

(And do not grieve): Over what you have left behind, for it is grief that attaches itself due to the occurrence of the loss of something beneficial or the acquisition of something harmful. This is narrated from Mujahid. Ata ibn Abi Rabah said: "Do not fear for your good deeds, for they are accepted; and do not grieve for your sins, for they are forgiven." It is said that the intent is to forbid them from grief absolutely. The meaning is that Allah (the Exalted) has written for you security from all grief, so you shall never taste it.

The an (that) is either the infinitive particle, and la (do not) is prohibitive or negative—the dropping of the nun indicates the accusative case, and the predicate is in the place of the performative (insha') as a form of hyperbole—or it is a softened form of the heavy anna, and tatanazzalu is imbued with the meaning of knowledge, and la is negative, and in both cases, it is estimated with the preposition bi (by/with), meaning: "Do not fear," or "regarding that you should not fear," and the ha is the pronoun of the state. Or it is explanatory, and tatanazzalu is imbued with the meaning of "saying," and la is also prohibitive.

In the recitation of Abdullah, it is "Do not fear" without the an, meaning: "They say, 'Do not fear,'" functioning as a state (hal) of the angels or as a new sentence.

(And receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised): That is, the Paradise you were promised in the world upon the tongues of the messengers (peace be upon them). This is one of their glad tidings at one of the three locations. And His saying (the Exalted): [Continuation...].