for commerce or estate management than the man he appointed, or sells an item at a certain price although he can find a buyer offering a better price (1), he has betrayed his principal. This is especially so when affection or kinship ties him to the person he favored. His principal will hate and condemn him, believing that he has betrayed him and shown undue favor to his relative (2) [أ/ق 5] or friend.

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Once this is understood, his obligation is to appoint the best person available. There may be no one among those available to him who is ideally suited (3) to that office, so he should select the best, then the next best, as appropriate to each position. If he does this after exercising the fullest diligence and administering the office as it ought to be administered, he will have discharged the trust and fulfilled his duty in this matter. In such situations, he will rank among the leaders of justice and those who act equitably (4) in Allah’s sight.

If, nevertheless, certain matters go awry because of others when that is unavoidable, Allah, Glorified and Exalted, says: “So fear Allah as much as you are able” [al-Taghābun: 16]. And He, Mighty and Majestic, says: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity” [al-Baqara: 286]. And He, Glorious in Majesty, says regarding jihad: “So fight in the path of Allah—you are responsible only for yourself—and urge the believers on” [al-Nisā’: 84]. And He, Mighty and Majestic, says: “O you who believe, take care of your own souls. Those who stray cannot harm you if you are rightly guided” [al-Mā’ida: 105].

Whoever fulfills the duty that lies within his ability is rightly guided. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When