What is the meaning of "سبب" (a means/way) in His, the Almighty's, saying: "Indeed, We established him in the land and gave him from everything a way"? And what is the difference between "اتّبَعَ" (ittaba'a - to follow) and "أتبع" (atba'a - to cause to follow/to follow up)? And what is meant by "فاتبع سببا" (so he followed a way)? And what is the meaning of "السبب" (al-sabab) in the Arabic language?

The word "sabab" (means) originally refers to a rope and is metaphorically used for anything by which one reaches something. "Ittaba'a" (اتبع) means to follow or walk, while "atba'a" (أتبع) means to catch up. Some scholars view them as interchangeable terms with a single meaning: to proceed, whether or not it involves catching up. The meaning of the verse is that Allah established Dhul-Qarnayn in the earth and gave him a "sabab" (means) for everything. Some interpreted this as knowledge and all that he needed to achieve his goals. Thus, "atba'a sababan" (أتبع سببًا) means he took a path and a dwelling place between the East and the West, or traversed the regions and landmarks of the earth, until he reached his objective. And Allah knows best.