The Second Principle
He mentions two categories: those who deny the truth and those of corrupt character. This is for several reasons.
First, what is commanded is faith and righteous deeds; their opposites are denial and corrupt deeds.
Second, believers are commanded to exhort one another to truth and patience. Just as we are commanded to accept this counsel and offer it to others, we are forbidden to accept its opposite: denying the truth and abandoning patience. These corrupt traits arise only from a lack of patience, while patience governs the character traits we are commanded to cultivate. He therefore concluded the surah with it, and said:
“But none is granted it except those who are patient.”
Thus, Surah al-ʿAsr contains what is explained here. He forbade him to obey someone who is in loss, whose condition is the opposite of that of believers who enjoin truth and patience. The one in loss is the contemptible liar, who abandons truth and patience.
The Third Principle (1): Human rectitude lies in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. This knowledge is the good word that ascends to Allah, while righteous deeds encompass all justice. Everything Allah has forbidden people falls under wrongdoing, as has been established elsewhere.
Allah Most High said:
“But man undertook it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.”
Denial of the truth stems either from ignorance or from wrongdoing; in the latter case, the person is a denier