his Lord.” That is, this kind of wrongdoing may be forgiven without the consent of other people. If He wills, He punishes the one who has wronged himself, and if He wills, He forgives him. We have discussed these noble subjects and comprehensive foundations at length in our writings on principles. We have explained the various kinds of wrongdoing, why associating partners with Allah is the greatest form of wrongdoing, and what constitutes such association, in its gross and subtle forms.

For it is stated in the hadith:

“Associating partners with Allah is more hidden within this community than the creeping of ants.”

It is also reported that the following verse was revealed concerning those who show off:

“So whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and associate no one in worship with his Lord.”

Shaddād ibn Aws used to say: “O you who remain of the Arabs! O you who remain of the Arabs! What I fear for you is showing off and hidden desire.”

Abū Dāwūd al-Sijistānī, compiler of the well-known Sunan collection, said: “The hidden desire is the love of leadership.”

This is because the love of leadership is the root of aggression and wrongdoing, just as showing off is a form of associating partners with Allah, or its beginning. Associating partners with Allah is the greatest corruption, just as monotheism is the greatest righteousness. Thus Allah Most High said:

“Indeed, Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into factions, oppressing one group among them, slaughtering their sons and sparing their women. Indeed, he was one of those who spread corruption.”

He went on to conclude the surah with His words:

“That home of the Hereafter We reserve for those who seek neither superiority on earth nor corruption.”

And He said:

“We declared to the Children of Israel in the Scripture: ‘You will surely cause corruption in the land twice, and you will surely become exceedingly arrogant.’”

And He said: