Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Al-Hajj -> The Reward of the Righteous

The mention of the misguided who are doomed is followed by mention of the righteous who are blessed. They are those who believe firmly in their hearts and confirm their faith by their actions, doing all kinds of righteous deeds and avoiding evil actions. Because of this, they will inherit dwellings in the lofty ranks of the gardens of Paradise. So Allah tells us that He sends those astray and guides these, and says:

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ﴾

(Verily, Allah does what He wills.)

﴿مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ اللَّهُ فِى الدُّنْيَا وَالاٌّخِرَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى السَّمَآءِ ثُمَّ لْيَقْطَعْ فَلْيَنْظُرْ هَلْ يُذْهِبَنَّ كَيْدُهُ مَا يَغِيظُ - وَكَذلِكَ أَنزَلْنَـهُ ءَايَـتٍ بَيِّنَـتٍ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يُرِيدُ ﴾

(15. Whoever thinks that Allah will not help him in this world and in the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope to the ceiling and let him strangle himself. Then let him see whether his plan will remove that whereat he rages!) (16. Thus have We sent it down as clear Ayat, and surely, Allah guides whom He wills.)