And this act entails the discharge of the debt: the meaning is, “I delivered it to him.” In other contexts, it means, “I offered him my excuse,” or “I conveyed it to him.” The expression incorporates the meaning, “I conveyed my disavowal to him,” just as one speaks of conveying words to someone:

“But they will throw back at them the words, ‘You are surely liars.’”

“And that Day they will offer their submission to Allah.”

Another example is His statement, Most High:

“And His Word, which He conveyed to Mary.”

Disavowal is thus a statement conveyed to the person addressed. On this interpretation, the prepositional phrase is connected to the disavowal. The preacher, however, did not intend this meaning. Rather, he meant that he disavows seeking support from anyone but Allah, entrusting his affairs to anyone but Allah, turning to anyone but Allah concerning his affairs, or directing his hopes to anyone but Allah.

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib:

“When you retire to bed, perform ablution as you would for prayer, then say: ‘O Allah, I have submitted myself to You, turned my face to You, entrusted my affairs to You, and placed my back under Your protection, in hope of You and fear of You. There is no refuge or escape from You except with You.’”

Thus, his statement, “And I disclaim might and power, except unto Him,” means: “I disclaim attributing might and power to anyone other than Him such that I would seek refuge with that other on account of it.” The meaning is: “I place my trust in Him alone and rely upon Him alone.”

There is also a third meaning: one may say, “I disclaim might and power except through Him,” meaning, “I disclaim making any disavowal, holding any belief, or claiming any might or power except through Him.” For there is no might or power except through Him. This is a valid meaning, but the preacher intended the second of these three meanings, which his wording indicates. For one who possesses might and power is someone with whom refuge is sought and upon whom one relies. The expression “might and power” therefore incorporates the meaning of seeking refuge, so that the implied wording becomes: “I disclaim seeking refuge with anyone but Him,” and on