then with his heart; and that is the weakest level of faith.” Allah Most High says:

“Allah sets forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh”—to the end of the verse.

Likewise, He relates how Joseph, the man of truth, administered the storehouses of the land for the ruler of Egypt, serving a disbelieving people.

A believer associates with the wicked only in two circumstances. The first is when he is compelled to do so. The second is when doing so serves a religious benefit that outweighs the harm of such association, or when refraining from it would cause greater harm to his religion. He thus averts the greater of two harms by bearing the lesser, and secures the greater benefit by bearing the lesser harm. In fact, a person under compulsion averts the harm that would otherwise occur by bearing the lesser of the two harms—namely, the act he is compelled to perform. Allah Most High says:

“Except for one who is compelled while his heart remains secure in faith.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Do not compel your slave girls into prostitution.”

Then He says:

“If anyone compels them, then Allah, after they have been compelled, is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Allah Most High says:

“When the angels take the souls of those who have wronged themselves, they ask, ‘What was your situation?’ They reply, ‘We were oppressed in the land.’ The angels say, ‘Was Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to emigrate elsewhere?’ Their refuge will be Hell—what an evil destination!

“Except for those men, women, and children who are helpless, unable to find a means or a way.

“For such people, it is hoped that Allah will pardon them. Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Forgiving.”

He also says:

“What is the matter with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed men, women, and children?”—to the end of the verse.