is an act of justice and kindness, such justice and kindness are all the more befitting of Allah than of His servants. Someone who discharges another person’s obligation to a created being ought all the more to discharge that person’s obligation to the Creator, for two reasons: the Creator’s right is greater, and He is more just and merciful.

The corresponding argument concerning negation is found in what Imam Ahmad relates in his Musnad: when they missed a prayer, they asked him whether they should make it up twice. He replied, “Would your Lord forbid you usury, yet accept it from you?” The point is that He prohibited usury because of the injustice it entails: exchanging something for a greater amount in respect of debts owed, whether incurred for consideration or otherwise. He has a greater right than His servants to be declared free of injustice.

The same applies to the comparisons and analogies drawn concerning a servant’s actions toward Him, such as obeying and worshipping Him, thanking Him, fearing Him, placing one’s hope in Him, showing modesty before Him, and so forth. An example is what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Bahz ibn Hakīm when he asked, “What if one of us is alone?” He replied, “Then Allah