that serve his welfare, He has shown subtle kindness on his behalf. Thus Joseph, peace be upon him, passed through changing circumstances and successive stages: his dream, his brothers’ envy of him, their efforts to send him far away, and their quarrelling with their father; then his trial with the women, his imprisonment, and his release because of the king’s momentous dream, which he alone could interpret; then his settling wherever he wished in the land, while his father endured the trials and ordeals that befell him. After all this came their joyful reunion, the removal of their sorrows, the setting right of everyone’s circumstances, and the great honour of Joseph’s being chosen by Allah. Joseph, peace be upon him, recognized that these events and others were manifestations of the subtle kindness Allah had shown them. Acknowledging this blessing, he said:

“Indeed, my Lord is Most Subtle in bringing about what He wills. Indeed, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” 1

That is, His subtle kindness is granted especially to whomever He wills among His servants—those whom He knows to be suited to it and worthy of it. He bestows it only where it belongs. Allah knows best where to bestow His bounty. Thus, when you see that Allah Most High has prepared a servant for the path of ease, made the way of goodness easy for him, overcome its difficulties for him, opened its doors, made its paths clear, prepared its means, and kept him away from the path of hardship, then He has shown subtle kindness to him.

Among the manifestations of His subtle kindness towards His believing servants is that He takes them into His gracious care, bringing them out of darkness into light: from the darkness of ignorance, disbelief, religious innovations, and sins into the light of knowledge, faith, and obedience. Another manifestation is that, in His mercy, He spares them from obeying their souls, which constantly urge them towards evil, for such is their nature and habitual way. He enables them to restrain their souls from following desire and turns evil and indecency away from them. When occasions of temptation, the enticements of sin, and desires that lead astray arise, Allah counters them with the clear proof of His subtle kindness and the light of faith He has bestowed upon them. They therefore abandon these things with hearts at peace and fully content to leave them behind.

Among the manifestations of His subtle kindness towards His servants is that He apportions their provision according to His knowledge of what serves their welfare, not according to their wishes. They may desire one thing when something else is better for them, so He decrees what is better for them, even if they dislike it, out of subtle kindness and goodness towards them,