the abrogation, he did not command them to repeat the prayers they had performed, although they had greater grounds for excuse than others because they were adhering to an abrogated religious law.

Scholars have differed over whether the rulings conveyed by Allah and His Messenger apply to His servants before those rulings reach them. There are three views within the school of Ahmad and elsewhere: some hold that they apply; others hold that they do not; and others hold that newly instituted rulings apply, but abrogating rulings do not. The correct view is that indicated by the Quran in the words of Allah Most High:

“And We never punish until We have sent a messenger.”

And His words:

“So that people will have no argument against Allah after the messengers.”

The two Sahīh collections also report that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“No one loves giving people due warning more than Allah; for that reason He sent the messengers as bearers of good tidings and warners.”

Thus, someone acting on a mistaken interpretation, or someone whose ignorance is excusable, is not judged in the same way as someone who knowingly defies the truth or acts wickedly. Rather, Allah has appointed a measure for everything.