merely formed a supposition, so do not hold me accountable for a supposition. But when I tell you something from Allah, accept it, for I will never lie about Allah.’”

Since the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commands us to accept whatever he tells us from Allah, because he will never lie about Allah, he himself has all the more reason to abide by what he tells us from Allah: he is the most mindful of Allah among us and knows best what must be guarded against. Thus, if Allah informs him of a promise, we must believe it, and his belief in it is greater than ours. We have no right to doubt it, and he—may my father be his ransom—has all the more reason not to doubt it.

He may, however, form a supposition, as he said:

“I merely formed a supposition, so do not hold me accountable for a supposition.”

Even if he reports it without qualification, his basis is supposition, as when he said in the hadith of Dhū al-Yadayn:

“I have neither shortened the prayer nor forgotten.”

He may suppose something, and then Allah makes the truth of the matter clear. This happened on various occasions, as with the words of the Most High:

“If a wicked person brings you news, verify it.”

This was revealed concerning al-Walīd ibn ‘Uqba, whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had appointed to a task. Believing his report to be true, the Prophet was about to march against the people concerned, until Allah revealed this verse.

Likewise, concerning the incident involving Banū Ubayriq, Allah revealed:

“Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth so that you may judge between people by what Allah has shown you. And do not advocate for the treacherous.”

This was when some people came, leaving aside the thief who had been stealing and bringing forward an innocent man instead;