The ل is used in a multitude of ways in the Arabic language and when one understands its usage even at a basic knowledge, it will really expand the beauty of the Quranic verses that use it in in its variant forms.

Here are some of the different types of ل and examples to make clear the respective application:

ل التوكيد

The ل of emphasis

Example;

إن المؤمن ليطبعُ الله

“Verily the believer must obey Allah”

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِیمࣲ

And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on an exalted standard of character. [68:4]

As a side point , ان is also used as an emphasis , so since this ayah contains the ل also , it has a double emphasis.

Note; This usage not does not affect the ending of the verb

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ل الجحود

The ل used in a negation sentence

Examples;

وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَٰنَكُمۡۚ

Allah would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered towards Jerusalem). [2:143]

مَّا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِیَذَرَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ عَلَىٰ مَاۤ أَنتُمۡ عَلَیۡهِ حَتَّىٰ یَمِیزَ ٱلۡخَبِیثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّیِّبِۗ

Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. [3:179]

With this ل the verb connected to it will be in the منصوب from and hence carry a fatha

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ل الأمر 

The ل connected to a command verb

Example;

لتطعْ ربك

“Obey your lord ”

In this instance, the verb the ل is connected to will take a sakoon

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ل القسم 

The ل of taking an oath (swearing by something )

Example

و الله لينتصرنَ الحق

“By Allah the truth will win (prevail)”

With this ل the verb connected to it will be in the منصوب from and hence carry a fatha

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ل التعليل 

The ل which is used to explain the preceding verb or give the reason for that which has preceded

Examples;

أطع ربك لتفلحَ

“Obey your lord to be successful”

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

[16:44]

With clear signs and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad SAW) the reminder and the advice, that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought. [16:44]

The scholars of tafsir explain that the word الذِّكْرَ here refers to the Quran and Sunnah as both are revelations from Allah. The Quran is used to explain other parts of the Quran and the Sunnah is also used to explain parts of the Quran.

Also, with this ل the verb connected to it will be in the منصوب from and hence carry a fatha

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A brief video explaining the usage of the

ل التعليل

Within the above ayah [16:44]