their Lord, on that Day, will be fully aware of them’ (Surah al-ʿĀdiyāt 100:9–11).

That is the Day of Resurrection: there, the judgment concerns what is hidden, whereas in this world people are dealt with according to what is outwardly visible. We have nothing to go by except the outward state of others, but in the Hereafter the reckoning is for what lies within. May Allah rectify our hearts and yours.

The Exalted says, ‘on the Day when every secret will be laid bare’ (Surah al-Ṭāriq 86:9). ‘Laid bare’ means examined and tested: if a person is of the believers, his faith will be revealed; and if he is of the hypocrites, his hypocrisy will be exposed—Allah’s refuge is sought.

Therefore, set your heart right, my brother: do not detest Allah’s law, do not dislike Allah’s righteous servants, do not resent anything that Allah has sent down. To hate any part of what Allah has revealed is, in fact, disbelief in Allah the Most High. We ask Allah to grant us and you guidance, success, and rectitude.

3/590 – From al-Nawwas ibn Samʿān (may Allah be pleased with him): the Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Righteousness is good character, and sin is what stirs unease within you and what you would hate for people to discover.’ Reported by Muslim.

4/590 – From Wābiṣah ibn Maʿbad (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he asked, ‘Have you come to ask about righteousness?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Consult your heart. Righteousness is that which the soul and heart feel tranquil about, whereas sin is what agitates the soul and causes hesitation in the breast, even if people give you ruling after ruling.’ A sound hadith reported by Aḥmad and al-Dārimī in their Musnads.