a warner. This also indicates that such punishment is an injustice from which He—glorified be He—is far exalted.

Moreover, Allah Most High has stated in several places that He does not burden any soul beyond its capacity, as in His words:

“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.”

And His words:

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds—We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity.”

And His words:

“No soul is burdened beyond its capacity.”

And His words:

“Allah does not burden any soul beyond what He has given it.”

He commanded people to fear Him to the best of their ability, saying:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”

The believers supplicated to Him, saying:

“Our Lord, do not lay upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, do not burden us with what we have no strength to bear.”

He replied:

“I have granted this.”

These texts thus indicate that He does not require any soul to do what it is incapable of doing, contrary to the determinist Jahmiyyah. They also indicate that He does not hold accountable those who err or forget, contrary to the Qadariyyah and the Muʿtazilah. This is the decisive word on this matter.

Thus, whoever strives to reach a judgment by examining the evidence—whether a leader, judge, scholar, one engaged in inquiry, mufti, or anyone else—if he exerts himself and examines the evidence, fearing Allah to the best of his ability, then this is precisely what Allah has required of him. He is obedient to Allah and deserving