and caused her to grow in goodness, and entrusted her to the care of Zechariah. Whenever Zechariah entered her presence” 1—to the end of her story.

This also includes a servant’s growing up with righteous parents and God-fearing relatives, or in a righteous land; Allah’s enabling him to associate with good people and enjoy their companionship; or his being nurtured by godly scholars. This is among the greatest manifestations of His subtle kindness towards His servant. A servant’s righteousness depends on many means, and these circumstances are among the most frequent and beneficial of them.

Likewise, when a servant grows up in a land whose people follow the way of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā‘ah, this is a manifestation of His subtle kindness towards him. The same applies when Allah decrees that the teachers from whom he benefits—whether living or deceased—are pious adherents of the Sunnah. This is part of divine subtle kindness. The Creator’s subtle kindness is evident in the emergence of Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah—may Allah have mercy on him—during the course of this nation’s history; in the great good and abundant knowledge that Allah brought to light through him and his students, and their striving against the proponents of religious innovation, denial of Allah’s attributes, and unbelief; and then in the widespread circulation of his books in these times. Undoubtedly, this is part of Allah’s subtle kindness towards those who benefit from them, and much good depends upon their existence. To Allah belong all praise, favour, and bounty.

Among the manifestations of Allah’s subtle kindness towards His servant is that He grants him lawful provision with ease and contentment, sufficient to meet his needs without distracting him from the worship, learning, and deeds for which he was created. Rather, it helps him in these pursuits, frees his time for them, and puts his mind and body at ease. Thus, part of Allah’s subtle kindness towards His servant is that he may aspire to some worldly means through which he thinks he will attain his desire, while Allah Most High knows that it would harm him and divert him from what benefits him. He therefore prevents him from attaining it. The servant remains displeased, unaware that his Lord has shown him subtle kindness by preserving what benefits him and turning away what harms him. This is why being content with the divine decree in such matters is among the highest spiritual stations.

Among the manifestations of Allah’s subtle kindness towards His servant, when He decrees for him a great act of obedience that cannot be accomplished without help, is that He provides him with helpers and supporters to assist him in carrying it out. Moses—peace be upon him—said: “And appoint for me a helper from my family