their throats—their Islam reaches no farther. They pass out of Islam just as an arrow passes through its quarry.” (1)

Al-Hasan al-Basrī—may Allah have mercy on him—said, “By Allah, Abu Bakr did not surpass them through prayer or fasting; rather, he surpassed them through the faith that had settled firmly in his heart.” When faith settles firmly in the heart, it impels a person to act. Outward action, however, may not lead a person to rectify his heart. We must therefore attend to our hearts—their deeds, beliefs, and inclinations—rectifying them and purifying them of the taints of shirk (associating partners with Allah), religious innovations, rancor and hatred, aversion to what Allah revealed to His Messenger, hatred of the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—and anything else from which the heart must be kept pure.

Allah Most High then said: ﴿Then he will have no power﴾—meaning that on the Day of Resurrection, man will possess no power of his own—﴿nor any helper﴾, which refers to power from outside himself. He will be unable to defend himself, nor will anyone else be able to defend him. Allah Most High said: ﴿When the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask one another﴾ [al-Mu’minūn: 101]. In this world, people ask one another, question one another, and seek one another’s protection. On the Day of Resurrection, however, there will be no ties of lineage—that is, no kinship. Kinship will be of no benefit, and they will not ask one another.

﴿By the sky that sends back rain * and the earth that splits open * surely this is a decisive Word * and it is no jest * they are indeed devising a plot * while I devise a plan * so grant the disbelievers respite; leave them for a little while.﴾

After Allah Most High mentioned His oath, ﴿By the sky and the night-comer﴾, up to