of it. Thus, a judge must be scrupulous—that is, far removed from consuming what is unlawful, such as bribery, favoritism, and the like.

His statement, “knowledge and scrupulousness,” completes the two pillars of public office—indeed, the two pillars of every undertaking: competence and trustworthiness. All work rests upon these two foundations: competence in carrying out the task and trustworthiness in its performance. Allah says:

“Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and trustworthy.” [al-Qaṣaṣ: 26]

And He says:

“A powerful one from among the jinn said, ‘I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed I am strong and trustworthy for this.’” [al-Naml]

The fact that competence is mentioned before trustworthiness indicates that it is more important than trustworthiness. How many people are trustworthy, with no fear whatsoever that they will betray their trust, yet they are weak: they produce nothing and accomplish nothing. And how many are strong in carrying out their work but deficient in trustworthiness? The latter is better able to get the work done. This is why one finds that many people who possess strength, resolve, and sound judgment accomplish far more than people who are weak, even if they are trustworthy.

For this reason, the Prophet said to Abu Dharr, “I see that you are weak, and I love for you what I love for myself: do not accept authority over even two people, and do not assume responsibility for an orphan’s property.” (1)

A person must therefore be competent and trustworthy. This is why the author begins here with knowledge, for through it one has the competence to judge; then he follows it with scrupulousness, which is trustworthiness, saying:

“And he instructs him to fear Allah.” The verb “instructs him” is in the nominative, introducing a new statement, because he is not obliged to instruct him; rather, it is appropriate for him to instruct the judge to fear Allah.