(120) “Abandon sin, both outward and inward. Indeed, those who commit sin will be recompensed for what they used to perpetrate.”

What is meant by sin is every act of disobedience that makes a servant sinful—that is, causes him to incur sin and blame—whether it concerns the rights of Allah or the rights of His servants. Allah therefore forbids His servants from committing sin outwardly or inwardly—that is, secretly or openly—whether it pertains to the body and limbs or to the heart. A servant cannot fully abandon outward and inward sins until he knows what they are and seeks to identify them. Learning about them, knowing the sins of the heart and body, and acquiring knowledge of these matters is therefore an individual obligation upon every morally accountable person.

Many people are unaware of numerous sins, especially sins of the heart, such as arrogance, self-admiration, showing off, and the like. A person may harbor many of these without sensing or realizing it. This results from turning away from knowledge and lacking insight.

Allah Most High then states that those who commit outward and inward sins will be recompensed according to what they have earned and in proportion to their sins, whether few or many. This recompense will take place in the Hereafter, though it may also occur in this world: the servant may be punished here, thereby reducing the burden of his misdeeds.