Tafsir of Luqman 31:22

"And whoever submits his face..."

Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) recited: (Wa man yusallim) with the tashdid (doubling of the lam). It is said: "Submit (aslim) your affair" and "Surrender (sallim) your affair to Allah."

If you ask: Why is it constructed with ila (to), when it was constructed with lam (for) in His saying: "Nay, whoever submits his face to Allah" (Al-Baqarah: 112)?

I say: Its meaning with the lam is that he has made his face—meaning his essence and his self—sound (salim) for Allah, that is, pure for Him. Its meaning with ila is that he has surrendered his self to Him, just as one surrenders goods to a man when he hands them over to him. The intended meaning is reliance upon Him and delegating one's affairs to Him.

"Then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold" This is by way of metaphor: The state of the one who relies on Allah is likened to the state of one who intends to descend from a precipice, so he takes precaution for himself by grasping the most secure handhold of a sturdy rope that is safe from breaking.

"And to Allah is the outcome of all matters" That is, they are all returning to Him.

"And whoever disbelieves, let not his disbelief grieve you. To Us is their return, and We will inform them of what they did. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts. We grant them enjoyment for a little, then We force them to a harsh punishment."