And one of the Companions had thought that wine was forbidden to people generally, but not to those who believed and did righteous deeds, so he drank it on the basis of this interpretation. ʿUmar summoned him, and he and the leading Companions, including ʿAlī and others, agreed that if they persisted in deeming it lawful, they would be disbelievers, but if they acknowledged its prohibition, they would be flogged. They acknowledged its prohibition. That man then fell into a degree of despair and despondency over what he had done, so ʿUmar wrote to him:

“Hā Mīm. The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the Forgiver of sin and Accepter of repentance, severe in punishment.” (Surah Ghāfir, 40:1–3)

And I believe he said: “I do not know which of your two sins is greater: deeming that abomination lawful, or despairing of Allah’s mercy.”

This reflects the knowledge and justice of the Commander of the Faithful. Someone who truly understands religion neither makes people despair of Allah’s mercy nor emboldens them to disobey Allah. Deeming forbidden things lawful is disbelief, and despairing of Allah’s mercy is disbelief.

Thus, Allah’s religion occupies a middle course between the Harūriyyah and the Murji’ah: a Muslim sins and repents. As is established in an authentic report, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, narrated from his Lord:

“O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive sins. So seek My forgiveness, and I will forgive you.”