Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:69

Surah Al-Ankabut (29): 69

And those who strive hard for Us - We will surely guide them to Our paths. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

When the exposition and reprimand were concluded, and the disbelievers did not believe, Allah consoles the hearts of the believers by saying: {And those who strive hard for Us - We will surely guide them to Our paths} (i.e., whoever strives in obedience, Allah guides them to the paths of Paradise).

And {And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good} is an indication of what was previously stated: {For those who do good is the best [reward] and even more} (Surah Yunus: 26).

Thus, the statement {We will surely guide them} refers to the "best reward" (al-Husna), and the statement {And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good} refers to the companionship (al-Ma'iyyah) and closeness that the doers of good receive as an addition beyond their good deeds.

There is another rational interpretation: that the meaning is: {And those who strive hard for Us} meaning those who contemplate Our signs, {We will surely guide them to Our paths} meaning We will establish knowledge of Us within them.

To explain this further: Our scholars of Kalam (theology) say that contemplation (Nazar) is a prerequisite for inferential knowledge ('Ilm Istidhlali). Allah creates knowledge in the contemplator immediately following their contemplation. The philosophers agree with this in essence, saying that contemplation prepares the soul to receive the intelligible form. Once the soul is prepared, knowledge is obtained from the effusion of the Giver of corporeal and intellectual forms.

Under this view, the sequence is well-ordered: Since Allah mentioned the signs, but they did not yield knowledge and faith, He says: They did not contemplate, so they were not guided. Guidance is only for the pious who avoid obstinacy and stubbornness; they contemplate, and He guides them.

And the statement {And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good} points to a higher degree than mere inference. It is as if Allah is saying:

1. Some people are distant and do not draw near—these are the disbelievers (indicated by {And who is more unjust...}).
2. Some draw near through contemplation and spiritual journey, and He guides and brings them closer (indicated by {And those who strive hard for Us}).
3. And some are such that Allah is with them, being close to them, knowing things from Him rather than knowing Him from things. How can one who is with a thing seek it elsewhere? (indicated by {And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good}).

And Allah knows best the secrets of His Book. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, the Prophet, his family, and all his companions.