Tafsir of Ash-Shura 42:17-18

{Allah is the One who sent down the Book} Meaning: The genus of the Book.

{And the Balance} Meaning: Justice and equity. The meaning of "sending down justice" is that He revealed it in His revealed scriptures. It is also said: It is that with which one weighs.

{In truth} Meaning: Clothed in truth, accompanied by it, far removed from falsehood; or for the correct purpose as wisdom dictates; or regarding the obligatory matters of what is lawful and what is forbidden, and other such things.

{The Hour} Meaning: In the interpretation of the Resurrection; therefore, it is said: {is near}, or perhaps the coming of the Hour is near.

If you ask: How is the mention of the Hour’s approach reconciled with the sending down of the Book and the Balance? I say: Because the Hour is the Day of Reckoning and the setting up of the scales for justice. It is as if it were said: Allah has commanded you to practice justice, equity, and adherence to the laws before you are surprised by the Day in which He will hold you to account, weigh your deeds, reward those who gave full measure, and punish those who gave short measure.

{Disputing} Meaning: Contention, because each of the two parties tries to extract what is with the other.

{Are in far error} Meaning: Far from the truth. This is because the occurrence of the Hour is not improbable given the power of Allah, because the miraculous Book indicates that it is coming without doubt, and because intellects testify that there must be a realm of recompense.

{Allah is Subtle with His servants; He provides for whom He wills, and He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.}