Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread): Verse 8

{O you who have believed, be persistently firm for Allah, witnesses in justice...}

This verse is connected to the preceding text, intending to urge them toward submission to the ordinances of Allah the Exalted.

Know that although divine injunctions are numerous, they are ultimately confined to two types: reverence for the command of Allah the Exalted, and compassion for the creation of Allah.

The phrase {be persistently firm for Allah} points to the first type: reverence for Allah's command. "Being firm for Allah" means upholding the truth for Allah in everything that requires upholding, such as manifesting servitude and glorifying Lordship.

The phrase {witnesses in justice} points to the second type: compassion for Allah's creation. There are two interpretations regarding this:

1. The First View (Atta said): Do not show favoritism in your testimony to those you love or your relatives, nor withhold your testimony from your enemies or adversaries.
2. The Second View (Al-Zajjaj said): The meaning is that you clarify the religion of Allah, because a witness clarifies what he testifies to.

Then Allah the Exalted said: {And let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just.} This means: Let not the enmity of a people lead you to be unjust. He intended to say, "Do not be unjust to them," but the object was omitted because it is understood. There are two views on this verse:

1. The First View (General Application): The meaning is that the hatred of a people should not lead you to oppress them or transgress limits concerning them. Rather, be just toward them even if they have wronged you, and treat them well even if they go to extremes in causing you distress. This is a general address, meaning Allah commands all creation not to deal with anyone except through justice and fairness, abandoning inclination, oppression, and arbitrary action.
2. The Second View (Specific to Disbelievers): This verse was revealed concerning the Quraysh when they prevented the Muslims from entering the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram).

If it is argued: Based on this second view, how can the oppression of the polytheists be reconciled with the command for the Muslims to kill them, take their offspring captive, and seize their wealth?

We reply: Their oppression can be understood in many ways. Among them:

• If they outwardly profess Islam, it is not accepted from them.
• Killing their infant children to grieve their fathers.
• Inflicting mutilation upon them.
• Breaching their covenants.

The first view is preferable.

Then Allah the Exalted said: {Be just; that is nearer to righteousness (Taqwa).} He first forbade them from letting hatred lead them to abandon justice, then he explicitly commanded justice as confirmation and emphasis. He then mentioned the reason for commanding justice, which is His saying: {that is nearer to righteousness (Taqwa)}. This is similar to His saying: {And that you forgive is nearer to righteousness} (Al-Baqarah: 237).

"That is nearer to righteousness" has two interpretations:

1. It is nearer to guarding oneself against the sins of Allah the Exalted.
2. It is nearer to guarding oneself against the punishment of Allah.

This contains a great indication regarding the obligation of justice even toward the disbelievers who are enemies of Allah the Exalted. So, what is the presumption regarding its obligation toward the believers who are His allies and beloved ones?

Then He mentioned the statement that serves as a promise for the obedient and a warning for the sinful, which is His saying: {And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.} This means that He is knowledgeable of all things, and nothing of your deeds is hidden from Him.

{Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds—for them is forgiveness and a great reward.}