As Allah Most High says:

{But man undertook it; indeed, he was exceedingly unjust and profoundly ignorant.}

[Surah al-Ahzāb: 72]

Thus, the unjust person is in error, and the ignorant person is astray—except one to whom Allah turns in mercy—as Allah Most High says:

{So that Allah may punish the hypocritical men and women and the polytheistic men and women, and turn in mercy to the believing men and women. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.}

[Surah al-Ahzāb: 73] (1)

For this reason, Allah commanded us to say in our prayers:

{Guide us to the straight path—the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not those who have incurred anger, nor those who have gone astray.}

[The one who has gone astray is one who does not know the truth], like the Christians; while the one who has incurred anger (2) is the erring person who knows the truth but acts contrary to it, like the Jews.

The [straight path entails knowing the truth] and acting upon it, as stated in the transmitted supplication:

“O Allah, show me the truth as truth and enable me to follow it. Show me falsehood [as falsehood and enable me to avoid it. Do not make it] unclear to me, lest I follow desire.”

In Sahih Muslim, Āishah [may Allah be pleased with her (3)] reported: “When the Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—(4) rose at night to pray, he would say: ‘O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Isrāfīl, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, You judge among Your servants concerning that over which they differ. By Your permission, guide me to the truth concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, You guide whom You will to a straight path.’” (5) Thus, whoever departs