Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 8

(Ayah 8){ كُوْنُوْا قَوّٰمِيْنَ لِلّٰهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِالْقِسْطِ:} Its explanation has already been given in Surah An-Nisa (135), and similarly, the explanation of «وَ لَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ … » has been given at the beginning of Surah Al-Ma'idah. Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: "Most of the disbelievers had great enmity towards the Muslims. When they became Muslims, it was said that you should not take out that enmity on them, and this is the ruling everywhere: in matters of truth, friends and enemies are equal." (Mawdhih)

8. 1. 2 The explanation of the first sentence is in Surah An-Nisa, verse number 135, and the explanation of the second sentence has already been mentioned at the beginning of Surah Al-Ma'idah. The importance of just testimony in the sight of the Noble Prophet ﷺ can be gauged from the incident mentioned in the hadith. Hazrat Nu'man bin Bashir says that my father gave me a gift, so my mother said, "I will not be pleased with this gift until you make Allah's Messenger a witness to it." So my father went to him, and he ﷺ asked, "Have you given such a gift to all your children?" He replied in the negative, so he ﷺ said, "Fear Allah and be just among your children," and he ﷺ said, "I will not be a witness to injustice." (Sahih Bukhari)

8. O you who believe! Stand firm for Allah, as witnesses in justice. And let not the hatred of a people incite you to not act justly. Act justly; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is well aware of what you do.

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Justice in Testimony Even Against an Enemy Nation:

A similar subject has already been mentioned in Surah An-Nisa, verse 135, that you should stand firmly for justice for the sake of Allah and give testimony even if this testimony goes against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Here, in this verse, it is being explained that you should give testimony of justice completely free from previous enmities and tribal prejudices. The enmity of any person or any nation should never affect your testimony or your justice and fairness. A clear example of this is the incident of that Ansari who stole a coat of mail from a Muslim and deposited it as a trust with a Jew (this incident has already been mentioned under Surah An-Nisa, verse 107). The owner took this case to the court of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The thief (who was actually a hypocrite) thought that since he was a Muslim, surely you would support him against the Jew. Then this thief and his family members, on the basis of the same tribal prejudice, supported him and even swore oaths that they had nothing to do with this theft, and it was close that you would have given a verdict against the Jew and in favor of this hypocrite, but Allah, through revelation, informed you of the real situation. In this verse, a comprehensive instruction has been given to all Muslims that whoever you have to testify for, give testimony exactly as it is, whether he is your friend or belongs to an enemy nation. Because among the causes that create justice, fairness, and piety within you, this is one of the most effective causes, and at every moment while giving testimony, you should keep in mind that whatever you say, Allah is hearing, and whatever you do, Allah is seeing it. And some commentators have taken the meaning of
﴿كُوْنُوْا قَوّٰمِيْنَ لِلّٰهِ شُهَدَاءَ﴾
that become those who establish the religion of Allah. That is, this duty has been imposed upon you that you become responsible for teaching all the nations of the world, both by your words and actions, the oneness of Allah and the teachings of moral commands. Just as the noble Companions acted upon this and demonstrated it, you should also maintain and advance this responsibility, and in this regard, you should also keep in mind the requirements of justice and fairness.