believe, stand firmly for justice as witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Whether someone is rich or poor, Allah has a greater claim over both. So do not follow your desires, lest you depart from justice. If you distort your testimony or turn away, Allah is fully aware of what you do.”

To “twist one’s tongue” means to speak falsely. To “turn away” means to conceal the truth, for whoever remains silent about the truth is a mute devil. Whoever sides with his companion, whether his companion is right or wrong, has judged according to the judgment of pre-Islamic ignorance and departed from the judgment of Allah and His Messenger.

They must all stand united with the one in the right against the one in the wrong. They should honour those whom Allah and His Messenger have honoured, give precedence to those whom Allah and His Messenger have given precedence, love those whom Allah and His Messenger have loved, and hold in contempt those whom Allah and His Messenger have abased—all according to what pleases Allah and His Messenger, not according to personal desires. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger is rightly guided, while whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger harms only himself. This is the foundation upon which they must rely. There is then no need for division and factionalism among them, for Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them.”

And He Most High says:

“Do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them.”

If a man has been taught by a teacher, he should appreciate the kindness his teacher has shown him and thank him. He must not gird his waist for either his teacher or anyone else, for girding one’s waist for a person