What is the correct interpretation of the word "ẓallām" (ظلام) in His, the Almighty's, saying: "And your Lord is never unjust [ẓallām] to His servants" (Qur’an 41:46), and is expiation required for a mistaken understanding of its meaning?

Allah wrongs none of His creation, for He is the Just Judge. This has been mentioned in many verses of the Book of Allah, such as His saying: "Indeed, Allah does not wrong [even] as much as a speck of a dust particle," and His saying: "Indeed, Allah does not wrong the people at all, but it is the people who wrong themselves." The Hadith Qudsi (sacred narration) confirms this meaning: "O My servants, I have forbidden injustice for Myself, and I have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not commit injustice against one another."

As for the ambiguity that arises from the verse: "And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants," regarding the intensive form (ṣīghat al-mubālaghah) (ẓallām - ever unjust), it has four facets:

1. Many other verses negate injustice from Allah absolutely, such as His saying: "Indeed, Allah does not wrong [even] as much as a speck of a dust particle," and "And your Lord wrongs no one." 2. The large number of servants from whom injustice is negated necessitates negating extensive injustice from them. Thus, the intensive form is appropriate for negating injustice from all these servants. 3. The severity and greatness of Allah's punishment justify the intensive form. If those being punished did not deserve that punishment, their torment would be a great injustice. 4. The form (fa‘‘āl) like (ẓallām) can be used to mean attribution, i.e., "possessing injustice," and therefore the meaning is "He is not one who possesses injustice."

A believer, if thoughts implying a deficiency in Allah come to mind, must seek refuge in Allah from Satan, refer back to the clear and decisive texts, and ask people of knowledge about what is unclear to them.