intended to oppose the Messenger; rather, the knowledge was hidden from them because of the sins that had occurred. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“I came out to tell you when the Night of Decree would be, but two men quarrelled, so knowledge of it was taken away. Perhaps that will be better for you.”

That is, concealing it may be better for you, so that you strive in worship throughout all ten nights. Concealing certain matters may indeed be a mercy for some people. Disagreement over rulings may also be a mercy, provided that the ruling’s obscurity does not lead to great harm. Thus, when a man compiled a book and called it The Book of Disagreement, Ahmad told him, “Call it The Book of Latitude.”

The truth is, in reality, one; yet Allah’s mercy towards some people may entail its remaining hidden, because making it known would impose hardship on them. This falls under His words, Most High:

“Do not ask about things which, if made known to you, would distress you.”

Likewise, food and clothing found in the markets may actually have been wrongfully seized. If a person does not know this, it is all lawful for him, and he incurs no sin whatsoever on that account—unlike when he knows. Thus, remaining unaware of what entails stricter obligations may be a mercy, just as remaining unaware of what permits a concession may be a punishment. Likewise, the removal of doubt may be a mercy or a punishment.

A concession is a mercy, yet what a person dislikes may be more beneficial, as in jihad:

“But perhaps