As for the Poor Disbeliever, he knew our Outward and Inward, but acted upon neither; so we impoverished him in this world and the Hereafter."

Meaning: whoever establishes the Outward (Zahir) among its people and the Inward (Batin) among its people, Allah enriches him in both worlds. Whoever fails to establish the Outward among its people, He requites him with poverty in his worldly life. Similarly, the disbeliever who rejects the Inward but establishes the Outward—specifically the rights due to believers—Allah rewards him with wealth in his worldly life. Conversely, He requites the believer who does not uphold the Outward rights of [his fellow] believers with poverty in his worldly life, according to the saying of the Almighty: {So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it} (Al-Zalzalah: 7)—meaning in his worldly life if he is a disbeliever.

{And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it} (Al-Zalzalah: 8)—meaning in his worldly life if he is a believer.

It was said from another perspective: the intent of "establishing the Outward" is the fulfillment of the worldly rights of the brothers, while the "Inward" is the fulfillment of their religious and spiritual Inward rights... and Allah knows best.

Among the reports concerning this meaning is what the Sage Muhammad bin Sinan—peace be from him—bestowed in the Book of Veils and Lights, saying to Abu al-Haytham: