bearers of witness with justice; and let not the hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably: be just that is nearer to piety; and be careful of your duty to Allāh, for Allāh is aware of what you do” (5:8) “O you who believe! Be maintainers of justice, bearers of witness for Allāh even though it be against your own selves or your parents or near relatives—whether he be rich or poor, Allāh has a better right over them both. So follow not (your) low desires lest you deviate. And if you distort or turn away from (truth), surely Allāh is Aware of what you do” (4:135). In a state, some men have necessarily to be placed in authority over others, but those placed in authority have been repeatedly warned that they would be answerable to God, first of all, for what they did in the exercise of authority. The warning to David is a warning to every true believer: “O David, surely We have made thee a ruler in the land; so judge between men justly and follow not desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of Allāh. Those who go astray from the path of Allāh, for them is surely a severe chastisement because they forgot the day of Reckoning” (38:26).