How is it correct for Al-Bukhari to infer from the verse: "So know that there is no god but Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin," that knowledge precedes speech and action, when the 'waw' (and) in the Arabic language signifies absolute conjunction?

The conjunction "waw" (و) denotes an absolute conjunction, and this does not contradict the conjoining of a later element to an earlier one. Imam Al-Bukhari's interpretation of the verse, "So know that there is no god except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin," may stem from the principle that what is usually begun with is the most important, followed by what is less important. Al-Qurtubi narrated from Sufyan ibn Uyaynah that the verse indicates the command to act after acquiring knowledge, which aligns with Al-Bukhari's understanding and has been followed by exegetes, emphasizing that the beginning should be with what is most important.