[2:198] You would not be at fault if you should seek bounty from your Lord;
The allusion in it is that whatever you seek from the bounty of God from what has been determined for you according to the decree of His due (ḥaqq), within which will be a portion for the Muslims or the power of the religion (dīn), is praiseworthy (maḥmūd). Whatever you seek for the fulfillment of your worldly fortune (ḥaẓẓ) or your own portion is a weak diversion (maʿlūl).
[2:198 cont'd] but when you press on from ʿArafāt, then remember God at the Sacred Waymark; and remember Him as He has guided you, though previously you were astray.
The allusion in it is to when you have gone so far as to perform what He requested, remember His favor with you, for if He had not desired you, you would not have desired Him. If He had not chosen you, you would not have preferred His good pleasure.