enemies against them, led in chains of compulsion and divine decree. These are among the burdens and shackles that have not been removed from them, along with countless other punishments. This is because obedience is weak in their hearts, while sins and the love of desires have taken firm hold there. Thus, when they say,

“Our Lord, lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us,”

this too is included.

As for His words,

“And do not burden us with what we cannot bear,”

there are two interpretations.

One is that this refers to burdens imposed through divine decree, not obligations prescribed by the revealed Law. That is: do not afflict us with calamities we cannot bear, as a person may be afflicted with unbearable poverty, illness, misfortune, fear, love or infatuation, with his sins being the cause. This is among the things that demonstrate that sins invariably have blameworthy consequences.

His words, “Whoever does evil will be recompensed for it,” and “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it,” and “And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it,” are true. The Most High also said concerning the people of Lot:

“And We left therein a sign for those who fear the painful punishment.”

No one is afflicted with engaging in deeds of their kind without suffering some painful punishment. Even deliberately looking gives rise to an attachment in the heart that torments a person. If it grows stronger until it becomes consuming love and infatuation, the painful torment increases, whether he is presumed capable of attaining