His statement, “or distress,” means severe distress. This is a subtle matter, for a person is human and may at times be overcome by worries due to external circumstances, family matters, or inner personal concerns. Thus, if he is deeply distressed and two people come to him seeking judgment between them, he should say: “My mind is preoccupied, and I have many concerns,” and he should not judge between them. The same applies if a member of his family is gravely ill, or if he hears of a victory gained by some disbelievers and his mind becomes occupied with it. In that case, he should wait until that distress has passed. Whoever is troubled by an external or internal concern is not permitted to judge in that state.

His statement, “or weariness,” means that he should not judge while extremely weary. For example, he may have been judging between people since seven in the morning, patiently enduring their harm, their raised voices, and their commotion. Then, when it is a quarter to two in the afternoon, two litigants come to him seeking judgment between them, and he says: “I am weary and unable to judge between you.” He is entitled to do so; rather, he must excuse himself, for a person is only human. It is prohibited for him to judge, and the reason is the same as that for prohibiting judgment in a state of anger.

His statement, “or lethargy,” means severe lethargy, such as when he is sleepy or drowsy. It is not permissible for him to judge between litigants in this state, even if the litigants consent, because this is a right due to Allah.

His statement, “or drowsiness,” means severe drowsiness. It is not permissible for him to judge while severely drowsy until it passes.

His statement, “or painful cold,” means that it is prohibited for him to judge in painfully cold weather. For example, litigants may come to him during a cold winter to seek judgment between them, and he says: “I will not judge