But in His wisdom, He tests some of His servants by means of others, so that jihad may flourish and beneficial faith may be realized—the faith of free choice, not faith born of compulsion and coercion, which is of no benefit whatsoever. ⦗191⦘

(85) “Whoever intercedes in a good cause will have a share in it, and whoever intercedes in an evil cause will have a share of its burden. Allah is ever Watchful over all things.”

What is meant here by intercession is assisting in some undertaking. Thus, whoever assists another and stands alongside him in a good undertaking—including interceding with oppressors on behalf of those they have wronged—will receive a share from his intercession according to the effort he exerts, the work he performs, and the benefit he brings. Nothing will thereby be deducted from the reward of the principal actor or the person who directly performs the deed. Whoever assists another in an evil undertaking will bear a share of the sin according to what he did and helped to accomplish.

This contains a powerful encouragement to cooperate in righteousness and piety, and a stern warning against cooperating in sin and transgression. He affirmed this by saying, “Allah is ever Watchful over all things”—that is, a Witness, Guardian, and Reckoner over these deeds, who will recompense everyone with what they deserve.