the heart, darkness in the face, weakness in the body, diminished provision, and hatred in people’s hearts.”

Allah Most High says:

“Every person is held in pledge for what he has earned.”

And He Most High says:

“Every soul is held in pledge for what it has earned.”

And He says:

“And remind through it, lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it has earned. It will have no protector or intercessor besides Allah. Even if it offers every ransom, none will be accepted from it. Those are the ones given up to destruction for what they have earned.”

To be “given up” means to be held in pledge, confined, and taken captive. Likewise, when the body recovers from illness, its temperament is said to have regained its balance; illness arises from a disturbance of that temperament. Yet perfect equilibrium, free from humoral admixture, is unattainable; rather, one seeks the best attainable balance, then the next best. Similarly, the heart’s health and soundness lie in justice, while its illness arises from deviation, wrongdoing, and crookedness. Absolute justice in everything is unattainable, in both knowledge and practice; rather, one seeks the best, then the next best.

Hence one says, “This is better,” and the way of the early generations is called “the best way.”

Allah Most High says:

“You will never be able to be completely just between wives, even if you strive to do so.”

And He Most High says:

“Give full measure and weight with justice. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity.”

Allah Most High sent the messengers and revealed the Books so that people might uphold justice. The greatest justice is to worship Allah alone, without any partner; then to deal justly with people concerning their rights; then to deal justly with oneself.