Explanation of the words of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding what he quoted: "

The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The author (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "The Chapter on Uprightness". Uprightness is that a person remains firm upon the Shari'ah of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) as Allah has commanded, and sincerity to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) must precede it.
Then the author mentioned several verses regarding this. He said, "And the saying of Allah the Exalted: The address here is to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). An address directed to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) applies to him and his Ummah, unless there is evidence that it is specific to him, in which case it is exclusive to him. If there is no evidence that it is specific to him, it applies to him and the Ummah. What indicates that it is specific to him is, for example, the saying of Allah the Exalted: This is specific to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Similarly, His saying: This is also specific to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). If there is no evidence that it is specific to him, it applies to him and the Ummah. Based on this rule, the saying of Allah the Exalted: is general for him and his Ummah. It is obligatory for each person to be upright as commanded, not to alter the religion of Allah, nor to add to it, nor to subtract from it. For this reason, He said in the same verse: And He said: They said, 'Our Lord is Allah,' meaning our Creator, our Owner, and the Manager of our affairs, so we are sincere to Him. Then they were upright upon that, upon their saying: So they established the Shari'ah of Allah. These are the ones who possessed these two descriptions: they said, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then they were upright. King after king, meaning that the angels descend upon them by the command of Allah in every frightening situation, in every frightening situation, especially at the time of death. They say to them: 'Do not fear and do not grieve. Do not fear regarding what you are about to face in your affairs, and do not grieve over what has passed of your affairs. And rejoice in the Paradise that you were promised.' The glad tidings are the announcement of what brings joy. Undoubtedly, a person is pleased to be among the people of Paradise. I ask Allah to make me and you among its people. Rejoice in the Paradise that you were promised, because everyone who says, 'My Lord is Allah,' and is upright upon the religion of Allah, is among the people of Paradise. They also say to them: So the angels are the awliya (close friends of Allah) of those who In this life, they guide them, help them, and assist them. And likewise in the Hereafter, the angels receive them on the Day of Resurrection and Reckoning. This is your day that you were promised. They give them glad tidings of good in the station of fear and hardship. Allah the Exalted said: For you in it, meaning in the Hereafter, is what your souls desire. That is in the bliss of Paradise, for in Paradise is what souls desire and eyes delight in. Meaning what you seek of every bliss. And for them is more than that: They have an addition to what they claim, seek, and wish for. The All-Forgiving forgave their evil deeds, and the Merciful raised their ranks for them. This is the reward of those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then are upright.
And in this is evidence of the importance of being upright upon the religion of Allah, that a person be firm, not adding, not subtracting, not altering, and not changing. As for one who exaggerates in the religion of Allah, or is harsh with it, or alters it, he was not upright. Uprightness requires moderation in everything so that a person is upright upon the Shari'ah of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And success is from Allah.
The reader: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
He said (may Allah have mercy on him): "The Chapter on Uprightness. Allah the Exalted said:

So remain on a right course as you have been commanded

فاستقم كما أمرت

[Hud 11:112]

And He said:

⁽³⁰⁾ Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah " and then remained on a right course - the angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised. ⁽³¹⁾ We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish] ⁽³²⁾ As accommodation from a [Lord who is] Forgiving and Merciful."

إن الذين قالوا ربنا الله ثم استقاموا تتنزل عليهم الملائكة ألا تخافوا ولا تحزنوا وأبشروا بالجنة التي كنتم توعدون نحن أولياؤكم في الحياة الدنيا وفي الآخرة ولكم فيها ما تشتهي أنفسكم ولكم فيها ما تدعون نزلا من غفور رحيم

[Fussilat 41:30-32]

And He said:

⁽¹³⁾ Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah," and then remained on a right course - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. ⁽¹⁴⁾ Those are the companions of Paradise, abiding eternally therein as reward for what they used to do.

إن الذين قالوا ربنا الله ثم استقاموا فلا خوف عليهم ولا هم يحزنون أولئك أصحاب الجنة خالدين فيها جزاء بما كانوا يعملون

[Al-Ahqaf 46:13-14]

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