has denied what she knows, she deserves wrath; for denying the truth while knowing it is a cause of wrath. This is why the Jews incurred wrath: they knew the truth yet rejected it. Since her sin resembles that of the Jews, wrath rather than curse applies in her case. As for him, curse applies in his case, because his accusation entails people distancing themselves from this woman, abandoning her, and cursing her. It is therefore fitting that curse be invoked upon him. This demonstrates the profound wisdom in this Sacred Law.

This wording contains a supplication contingent upon a condition: “if he is among the liars” and “if he is among the truthful.” Is it permissible for a person to make a supplication contingent upon a condition? The answer is yes: it is permissible where the matter is unclear, because Allah, Exalted is He, knows best. An example is the supplication for istikhāra, for the one seeking Allah’s guidance says: “O Allah, if You know that this matter is good for me…” (1). This is a conditional supplication. Thus, conditional supplication is permissible in matters that are unknown to a person.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned from his teacher—Shaykh al-Islam—that he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about this, saying: “O Messenger of Allah, some people are brought before us, and we do not know whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. Should we pray over them, or refrain from praying over them?”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “Adhere to the condition”—that is, the condition in the supplication. In other words, say: “O Allah, if this man is a Muslim, then forgive him.” Allah, Exalted is He, knows whether he is a Muslim or a non-Muslim.

Should this dream be acted upon or not? It is well known that legal rulings