one to do such a thing, O 'Umar.’” A group of the Companions also came and mentioned similar incidents, so Allah revealed this verse.

This account shows that his sinful soul enticed him and urged him to do that, and that afterwards he began reproaching it. Here, then, the soul is the treacherous wrongdoer. In secret, when no one sees him, a person’s soul urges him to do things it does not urge him to do openly. His reason forbids him from doing those things, but his soul overpowers him.

Wherever the term “betrayal” is used, it refers only to something concealed from the one betrayed. An example is someone who betrays a trust: he betrays the person who entrusted him when that person is not watching him; if he were watching, he would not betray him.

Allah Most High says:

“O you who believe, do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor knowingly betray your trusts.”

And He says:

“You will continue to discover treachery on their part, except for a few of them.”

The wife of al-'Azīz said:

“That is so he may know that I did not betray him in his absence, and that Allah does not guide the scheming of the treacherous.”

And Allah Most High says:

“He knows the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said when he rose:

“Was there no man among you who would rise against this man and strike off his head?”

A man said to him, “Why did you not signal to me with your eyes?”

He replied, “It is not fitting for a prophet to give treacherous signals with his eyes.”

Allah Most High says:

“Do not argue on behalf of those who betray themselves. Surely Allah does not love anyone who is treacherous and sinful.”