And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.
Qira'at (Readings): It is read as wa-anna hadha (with the nun lightened), the origin being wa-annahu hadha, where the ha is the pronoun of state and discourse. Al-A'mash read it as wa-hadha sirati. In the codex of 'Abdullah, it is hadha siratu rabbikum. In the codex of Ubayy, it is wa-hadha siratu rabbika.
{And do not follow the paths}: The various ways in religion, such as Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and all other innovations and misguidances.
{So that it separates you}: Meaning, it scatters you like the "hands of Saba" (a proverb for total dispersion).
{From His path}: From the straight path of Allah, which is the religion of Islam. It is also read as fatafarraq (with the ta assimilated).
Hadith: Abu Wa'il narrated from Ibn Mas'ud, from the Prophet (ﷺ), that he drew a line and said: "This is the path of rectitude." Then he drew lines to its right and left and said: "These are paths; upon each path is a devil calling to it." Then he recited this verse: {And that this is My path, straight, so follow it}.
Reports:
Ibn 'Abbas: These verses are muhkamat (decisive); nothing from any of the scriptures has abrogated them.
Others: They are the "Mother of the Book." Whoever acts upon them enters Paradise, and whoever abandons them enters the Fire.
Ka'b al-Ahbar: By the One in whose hand is the soul of Ka'b, these verses are the very first thing in the Torah.
Question: Upon what is the statement {Then We gave Moses the Book} conjoined?
Answer: It is conjoined to {He has enjoined upon you}.
Question: How is it valid to conjoin it with thumma (then), given that the giving of the Book occurred a long time before this injunction?
Answer: This injunction is ancient; every nation has been enjoined with it through the tongue of their prophet. As Ibn 'Abbas said, they are decisive and have not been abrogated by any scripture. It is as if it were said: "This is what He has enjoined upon you, O children of Adam, in ancient times and in the present."
{Then We gave Moses the Book, complete for him who does good, and a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.}
