“Inna hādhā al-Qurʾāna yahdī lillatī hiya aqwam”
“This Qur’an guides to what is most upright.” (al-Isrāʾ 17:9)
The feminine relative phrase “allatī hiya aqwam” can be explained through an implied quality, path or way of conduct. The grammatical description points to something understood from the meaning.
“Idfaʿ billatī hiya aḥsan”
“Repel [evil] with what is best.” (Fuṣṣilat 41:34, excerpt)
Here the understood noun is a worthy manner of responding, sometimes explained as a good trait or course of action.
The examples are similar in their ellipsis, but their functions differ: one speaks of the Qur’an’s upright guidance; the other instructs believers in their conduct toward harm.
“Wa-mā yulaqqāhā illā alladhīna ṣabarū”
“Only the patient are granted it.” (Fuṣṣilat 41:35)
The pronoun continues the prior instruction about answering harm with what is better, linking that conduct with patience.