—are exceedingly numerous, and affirming what they entail is incumbent in a general and unrestricted sense, without designating any given individual. One may therefore say, “This person is accursed,” or “He has incurred wrath,” or “He deserves the Fire”—all the more so when that person also possesses virtues and good deeds.

For everyone other than the prophets—peace be upon them—may fall into both minor and major sins, even though the same person might be a most truthful saint, a martyr, or a righteous believer. As noted earlier, the consequence warranted by a sin can be averted through repentance, seeking forgiveness, good deeds that erase it, expiatory trials, intercession, or purely through Allah’s will and mercy.

Accordingly, when we affirm what is entailed by His words, Exalted be He: “Indeed, those who consume the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming fire into their bellies, and they will enter a Blaze” (1); and His words: “Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will admit him to a Fire wherein he will abide forever, and he will have a humiliating punishment” (2); and His words: “O you who believe, do not devour one another’s wealth unjustly—unless it be a trade by mutual consent among you—and do not kill yourselves. Surely Allah has always been Merciful to you. Whoever does that in aggression and injustice, We shall soon cast him into a Fire, and that is easy for Allah” (3); and other such verses of threat,