This translates to the siraat of those whom you’ve shown favors to.
Meaning of An’amta:
In Arabic, everything that makes us happy is a na’imah. Everyone in this world has been granted na’imah (blessings) by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Even the disbelievers have it in the form of food, existence etc. But by saying An’amta we are seeking for the ultimate na’imah from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) which is the na’imah of Islam.
Another interpretation of An’amta is that it comes from the word An’am which refers to cattle. Cattle when they walk are relaxed. Their walk appears smooth and luxurious compared to a cat or another animal.
Understanding this ayat:
Hence in this verse we are seeking for the same na’imah that Allah has blessed to those who have submitted to him i.e. Islam. In other words we are asking Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) can you introduce us to people for whom you showered them with luxury that this path became easy for them.
Relating it with the concept of effort and results from the previous ayat, those people made the efforts and Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) made it easy for them. We want to know what were those efforts that earned them the results of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).
Categories of the people that were favored:
The Quran is full of stories of people because we are asking this question to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Everyone will help us go on that path. Their stories are our companions on this journey.
Also, the Quran tells us that those who obey Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and his Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) will be the people who will be favored. They belong to 4 categories:
- An nabiyyina (the Prophets)
- Was-siddiqina (the Siddiq)
- Was-shuhadai (the martyrs)
- Was-saaliheen (the righteous ones)