“Stand firm for justice.”

Upholding justice applies both to speech—that is, speaking justly—and to action. Thus, when it is said that He bears witness “while upholding justice,” meaning that He speaks, declares, and commands what is just, this affirms that His testimony is one of justice and equity. It is more just than any other testimony, just as associating partners with Allah is more unjust than any other injustice. This testimony is the greatest of all testimonies.

Accounts given of the occasion of this verse’s revelation accord with this meaning. Ibn al-Sā’ib related:

“Two Jewish scholars from Syria came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. When they saw Medina, one said to the other, ‘How closely this city resembles the description of the city of the Prophet who will appear at the end of time!’ When they entered the Prophet’s presence, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, they recognized him from the description. They asked, ‘Are you Muhammad?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ They asked, ‘And Ahmad?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ They said, ‘We shall ask you about a testimony. If you tell us what it is, we shall believe in you.’ He said, ‘Ask me.’ They said, ‘Tell us of the greatest testimony in Allah’s Book.’ Then this verse was revealed.”

The expression “upholding justice” encompasses action just as it encompasses speech. Thus, the meaning is: He bears witness while speaking and acting with justice, not injustice. For this testimony encompasses both speech and action: it affirms that He alone deserves worship and is therefore to be worshipped; that none besides Him deserves worship; that those who worship Him alone are the successful and blessed; and that those who associate partners with Him will be in the Fire. Thus, when He bears witness while upholding justice, which entails rewarding His devoted servants with Paradise and requiting