[2:257] God is the Protector (walī) of the believers;
The Protector (walī) in the sense of the One who takes charge of their affairs (mutawallī) and the One who is unique in settling their concerns. It is [also] correct to [understand] the word walī as being in the faʿīl pattern (in the sense of [the passive form] mafʿūl), so that [it is] the believers [who] assume responsibility (yatawallawna) for obeying Him. Both of them are correct. The first [way of understanding the word walī] is a gathering and the second is a separation. Not every gathering will be tied to a separation and not every separation will be tied to a gathering. That is an error and that one who makes it is wrong. The verse bears both of the meanings.
[2:257 cont'd] He brings them forth from the shadows into the light.
It means by His sempiternal decree, He protected them from the shadows which are errors and [blameworthy] innovation, for they were never in the shadows in His prior knowledge.
[2:257 cont'd] And the disbelievers - their protectors are false deities
that attract them with calls to disbelief.
[2:257 cont'd] that bring them forth from the light into the shadows; those are the inhabitants of the Fire, therein they shall abide.
Through the doubt which overwhelmed their hearts they denied the lordship. They are those who remain forever apart from the Real.
It is said He brings them forth from the shadows of their own managing (tadbīr) to the spaciousness of witnessing His determining of events (taqdīr).
It is said He brings them forth from the shadows of their thinking that they have any independent means or access to Him in anything they do or don't do.
It is said He brings them forth from the shadows by lifting the shade of their lower selves from them and bringing them into the shade of His solicitude.
It is said He delivers them from the consideration of their salvation.
It is said He comes between them and their reliance on their actions and dependence on their states.