The root naẓara can, in different constructions, mean to look, consider or await. The existence of a lexical possibility does not mean it is equally likely in every sentence. In “looking toward their Lord,” both the preposition ilā and the context of reward are significant.
The opposing interpretation reads the phrase as expectation of mercy or reward. The reply appeals to ordinary syntax and contextual strength. The key linguistic lesson is the distinction between a possible dictionary meaning and the most justified contextual reading.