those who associate partners with Him with the Fire, this constitutes the full realization of what this testimony entails. His words,

“Upholding justice,”

thus draw attention to the recompense of His devoted servants and of those who associate partners with Him, as in His words:

“Is He who watches over every soul and what it earns…?”

A group of commentators, including al-Baghawī, said: “The verse is construed as: ‘Allah bears witness while upholding justice.’ The meaning of ‘upholding justice’ concerns His governance of creation. Thus, one says, ‘So-and-so attends to another’s affairs,’ meaning that he manages them and attends to what they require; and ‘He fulfils another’s due,’ meaning that he recompenses him. Allah Most High therefore governs, provides, and recompenses deeds.”

If upholding justice is understood in relation to His divinity, the meaning is:

“There is no deity worthy of worship except Him, upholding justice.”

That is, He alone is God, upholding justice. He alone therefore deserves worship, while also upholding justice. This is like saying: “I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, one God, uniquely One, the Self-Sufficient.”

This interpretation is more compelling, for it entails that the angels and those endowed with knowledge bear witness both that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him and that He upholds justice. The first interpretation does not indicate this. For His upholding justice carries greater force when it is part of what is attested than when it merely describes His state as the witness. His upholding justice entails that He speaks the truth and acts justly, as He says:

“The word of your Lord has been perfected in truth and justice.”

And Hūd said:

“Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path.”

He thus declared that Allah is on a straight path: justice in which there is no deviation.