[4:26] God desires to make clear to you and to guide you in the ways of those before you, and to turn [in forgiveness] towards you; God is Knowing, Wise.
When the Prophet (ṣ) informed his community of the stories of those from past communities and what they did and how they were dealt with, they looked to what would be done with them since there were also among them those who did the impermissible. So they said, 'If only we knew in what way he will deal with us. Will it be abasement, metamorphosis, punishment or what?' So God Most High said: and to guide you in the ways of those before you, We will inform you of that which we did with them.
And to turn [in forgiveness] toward you: as for you, I turn [in forgiveness] to you. As for those who came before you, I have already destroyed them.
It is said God desires to make clear to you by unveiling His secrets to you so that what was hidden from others will be made manifest to you.
It is said God desires to make clear to you His singularity in bringing things into existence and originating new things, and that there is no one like Him.
And to guide you in the ways of those before you: the path of the prophets and friends, which is entrusting [everything to God], equanimity, and complete submission to the [divine] decree and judgment.
It is said: and to turn [in forgiveness] toward you. i.e. He accepts your repentance after having created it, and then repays you according to what He has created for you in your repentance.