falsehood, leaving them with no excuse. Even so, the human being is described as oppressive and ignorant. The scholars have differed: is “the human being” here to be taken generally, or is it confined to the disbeliever? Some say it is specific to the disbeliever, for he alone is the oppressive, ignorant one, whereas the believer is marked by justice, knowledge, wisdom, and sound judgment. Others maintain that the expression is general, referring to the human being by his very nature; the believer, however, is excluded because Allah has favored him with guidance. In any case, whoever discharges the trust escapes the charge of injustice and ignorance contained in Allah’s words, “The human being undertook it; he has indeed been ever oppressive, ever ignorant” (al-Ahzab 33:72).

We therefore ask Allah to help us and you to fulfill what we have been entrusted with, and to grant us and you success in all that He loves and is pleased with. He is the Most Generous, the Most Noble.

189 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The sign of the hypocrite is three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust.” Agreed upon.

In another wording: “…even if he fasts, performs the prayer, and claims to be a Muslim.”

[Explanation]

The word āyah means “sign,” as in Allah’s statement, “Has it not been a sign to them that it is known to the scholars of the Children of Israel?” (al-Shuʿaraʾ 26:197), meaning: has it not been a sign attesting to the truth of what he brought