forgive so-and-so? I have forgiven so-and-so and have annulled all your deeds.’ One word became the cause of his works being wiped out—may Allah grant us well-being.

So beware the slip of the tongue. Another example of such slips is when someone says: ‘Brother, our neighbor does not pray; perhaps you could give him some advice, God willing.’ The reply comes: ‘He will never be guided—he is a tyrant, a flagrant sinner.’

I seek refuge with Allah! In whose hand are the hearts? They are in the hand of Allah, as the Prophet ﷺ informed us: ‘There is not a heart among the children of Adam except that it lies between two fingers of the All-Merciful; He turns it however He wills—if He wills He lets it stray, and if He wills He guides it.’

This is an acknowledged truth. A person may sometimes sense thoughts in his own heart that he knows come from Satan, and were it not for Allah’s support he would falter. Since the hearts are in Allah’s hand, how can you say, ‘Nothing will help him; he will never be guided’? That is forbidden; it is impermissible. Pray and never despair.

Were there not in this ummah people who once ranked among its fiercest enemies and staunchest opponents? Who became the second leader of the community after our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb. At first ʿUmar, may Allah be pleased with him, opposed the Islamic call, warned people against it, fled from it, and was one of its bitterest foes—then Allah guided him, making him the second caliph after the Messenger ﷺ.

The same happened with Khālid ibn al-Walīd and ʿIkrimah ibn Abī Jahl. What did they do at the Battle of Uḥud? They charged the Muslims from the rear on their horses along with other cavalrymen, plunged into the ranks, and the defeat followed. Yet in the end both became illustrious commanders of the Muslim armies. So do not despair, my brother; ask Allah for guidance and steadfastness, and do not let your tongue slip.