When one wants to lay one's hold on a thing...

When one wants to lay one's hold on a thing, one has to discard all other things before that. In other words, one has first to leave unwanted things, then comes the stage of holding fast to the desired thing. Therefore, the verse mentioned first the rejection (of the rebels) and then the belief (in Allah). "al-Istimsak" means to hold fast: "al-'urwah" notes that part of thing which is made to hold it by, like the handle of a bucket, or of a pot.

Also, this word is used for ever­green plants and trees. Its root meaning is attachment; it is said ‘arahu and i‘tarahu both of which mean “was attached to him”. The sentence, “he indeed has laid hold on the strongest handle”, is based on allegory. It…