have acquired no knowledge beyond the affairs of this world; it is their greatest concern and the limit of their knowledge. The believer, by contrast, has Allah as his greatest concern, and his knowledge and remembrance ultimately lead to Him. This, then, is a vast and important subject that we have discussed in its appropriate places.

Since affirming Allah’s oneness is the foundation of human righteousness, while associating partners with Him is the foundation of human corruption, equity is linked to affirming His oneness, which is the foundation of justice. Likewise, the desire for superiority is linked to corruption, since it is the foundation of injustice. The two in each pair are bound together, like two animals tied with a single tether. Affirming Allah’s oneness and the good deeds that follow from it constitute righteousness and justice. Thus, a righteous man is one who fulfills his obligations: he is virtuous and just.

Sins involving neglect of, or transgression against, the rights of Allah Most High and the rights of His servants constitute corruption and injustice. This is why highway robbers are called corrupters, and their punishment is a right belonging to Allah Most High, since both qualities are present in them. Whoever desires superiority over another human being wrongs him and transgresses against him. You have no greater claim to superiority over him than he has to superiority over you, since you both belong to the same human race. Equity and justice require that they be brothers, as Allah has described the believers.

Although affirming Allah’s oneness is the foundation of righteousness, it is also the greatest expression of justice. Thus Allah Most High said:

“Say, ‘O People of the Book, come to a common word between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, associate nothing with Him, and do not take one another as lords besides Allah.’ But if they turn away, then say, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’”

This is why singling it out