uprightness, we know that this particular person possesses the uprightness mentioned in the Quran. Likewise, Allah has forbidden intoxicants and gambling. When we know that this drink made from sorghum and honey is an intoxicant, we know that it falls within this text. Our knowledge of particular believers and particular hypocrites belongs to this same category. This is part of the reality to which the Quran refers. Only Allah knows this in its entirety, for Allah knows every believer and every hypocrite, the degrees of their faith and hypocrisy, and the state in which their lives will end.

As for the Messenger, Allah Most High has said:

“Among the Bedouins around you are hypocrites, and among the people of Medina are those who persist in hypocrisy. You do not know them; We know them. We will punish them twice, then they will be returned to a tremendous punishment.”

Thus Allah discloses whatever He wills of this to His Messenger and to whomever He wills among His servants.

As for the hadith of Abū Hurayrah, it is authentic. He said:

“I memorized two bags’ worth of knowledge from the Messenger of Allah—Allah bless him and grant him peace. One of them I have disseminated among you; as for the other, had I disseminated it, you would have cut this throat.”

Yet none of this involves any hidden meaning that contradicts the apparent meaning, nor even any of the truths of religion. Rather, that bag contained reports of the battles and tribulations that would occur. The battles are wars between Muslims and disbelievers, while the tribulations are conflicts among Muslims.