anything with Him.’” This is prohibited without qualification; no instance of it is permissible.

“And be good to parents.” This is subject to qualification. If a father calls his child to associate partners with Allah, the child may not obey him; rather, he may enjoin right upon him and forbid him wrong. Such enjoining and forbidding is itself an act of kindness towards the father. If the father is a polytheist, the child may kill him, though scholars disagree over whether doing so is disliked.

His saying, “Do not kill your children because of poverty,” is a prohibition with a specific scope.

“Do not approach immoral deeds, whether openly or in secret.” This is unqualified.

“Do not approach the orphan’s property except in the best manner, until he reaches maturity.” This is qualified, since the property of orphans among the polytheist ahl al-harb (people of war) may be taken as war booty. Yet it might be said that taking and approaching it in this way is itself “in the best manner,” if “best” is understood as what Allah and His Messenger command.

“Give full measure and weight with justice.” This applies to those entitled to it.

“When you speak, be just.” This is unqualified.

“And fulfil Allah’s covenant.” Fulfilling it is obligatory, but a distinction must be drawn between Allah’s covenant and other covenants. A distinction must also be drawn between what a person remains silent about and what he says, does, and commands; and between something decreed by Allah through which good results and something a servant is commanded to do through which good results.