the ignorant” (al-Aʿrāf 199). Allah said, “Take what is easy”; He did not say, “Pardon,” nor “Put pardon into practice.” Rather, He said, “Take the easy.” Here al-ʿafw refers to whatever comes lightly and effortlessly from people, for people deal with one another: if a person expects everyone to treat him exactly as he wishes, in the most perfect manner, he will find it hard, burdensome, and exhausting.

But whoever is guided by this verse and accepts from people what comes naturally and easily—he welcomes whatever they give and overlooks whatever of his due they neglect, unless the sanctities of Allah are violated—such a one follows the very course Allah has prescribed: take the easy. So take from people the portion of good conduct they can manage toward you, and for the rest you will be the one showing grace if you waive it.

“Enjoin what is right” means: command what people customarily recognize, and what the Sacred Law affirms, as good. Do not remain silent about bidding what is good merely because people have fallen short of it. As for your personal rights, act as you wish, but when it comes to recognized goodness, you must command it.

“And turn away from the ignorant.” The “ignorant” here are not those who are unaware of the ruling; rather, they are the foolish and reckless in behavior. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “Repentance is only incumbent upon Allah for those who commit evil in ignorance—that is, in foolishness—then repent soon thereafter; such are the ones to whom Allah will turn” (al-Nisāʾ 17).

Thus the ignorant meant here are the fools who disregard the rights of others and squander them. Turn away from them and pay them no heed. If you ignore them and do not concern yourself with them, they will eventually tire and grow weary, and afterward they will return to sound judgment. But if you confront them, dispute with them, or insist that they give you your full right, they may, out of their foolishness, persist in obstinacy and withhold what you seek.