إِنَّ هٰذِهِ تَذكِرَةٌ ۖ فَمَن شاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلىٰ رَبِّهِ سَبيلًا

This is indeed a reminder. So let anyone who wishes take the way toward his Lord.

EXPOSITION

This verse opens a discussion that lays the foundations for understanding the relationship between God’s will and decree and a human being’s free will. It begins by affirming that a human being has the choice and responsibility to answer the divine call to God. He does not force the human being to make the right choice. Instead, He provides all the necessary guidance for him to make an informed choice towards righteousness or falsehood, in the same spirit as verse 3.^{‎[1]Amthal, 19/280.} This gift of free will must not be misconstrued to be absolute.

The way towards the Lord of the worlds is generally the path of faith and submission to Him alone.^{‎[2]Tabrisi, 10/626.} In the context of the surah, we can understand the way towards God as the way of birr referred to at the beginning of the chapter. Upholding the promise, giving out food for the sake of God, and patience, are all part of the way to God. These could be enhanced by the lengthy glorification of God at watches of the night.

The remembrance of God through night prayers, along with prayers in general, is a powerful aid in the path towards Him because it provides the spiritual fuel and strength needed to face the hardships along the way.^{‎[3]Amthal, 19/275.} God calls all believers to find strength in prayer in general (2:45, 2:153, 94:7). When speaking to the Prophet, more than once, He called him to pair his patience over Allah’s command with His continuous glorification and prayer (18:28, 40:55), and specifically to maintain the night prayer because of its distinct spiritual impact (20:130, 50:39-40, 52:48-49, 73:1-10).^{‎[4]Mizan, 20/69.} This call is also open, and is directed to all believers as this verse asserts.

[1] Amthal, 19/280.
[2] Tabrisi, 10/626.
[3] Amthal, 19/275.
[4] Mizan, 20/69.