What is the clarification of the second aspect mentioned in Al-Razi's interpretation of verse 45 of Surat Ya-Sin, which is: "It is that piety, when considered, is a matter that conveys the presumption of mercy. If one is certain of it for an external reason, then that does not prevent hope"?

The interpretation of the verse: (And when it is said to them, 'Beware of what is before you and what is behind you, that you may receive mercy') is that Allah mentioned signs to the disbelievers indicating His Oneness, and since they did not benefit from that, He warned them of punishment. It is as if it was said to them: If you do not benefit from the signs, then beware of the punishment.

Fakhr al-Din al-Razi is of the view that the meaning of the verse is: Beware, hoping for mercy, for nothing is obligatory upon Allah, and caution does not necessitate certainty of mercy, but rather it is a matter that indicates the probability of it.

What al-Razi stated, that Allah Almighty "nothing is obligatory upon Him," is an exaggeration of the Ash'aris. The correct view is what the Ahl al-Sunnah have maintained, which is the invalidity of imposing anything upon Him Almighty merely by rational analogy. However, this does not prevent Him from having bestowed His grace upon His servants by making mercy obligatory upon Himself and forbidding injustice.