our hearts a share of their states, and weave us into their ranks beneath their ensign (1) and banner, alongside their leader and imām, the master of the messengers and the leader of the God-fearing, Muḥammad—may Allah’s blessings be upon him, his family, and all his Companions.

I remind you—may Allah have mercy on you—of that (2) which you already know, in obedience to His words: “And remind, for reminding benefits the believers” (Adh-Dhāriyāt 51:55).

I begin by enjoining myself and you to observe taqwā of Allah—reverent fear and mindfulness of Him. It is the counsel Allah, Exalted, gave to us and to the communities before us, as He clarified when He said, exhorting: “We have indeed enjoined those who were given the Scripture before you, and you yourselves, to fear Allah” (An-Nisāʾ 4:131).

You are aware of the details of taqwā as they pertain to both limbs and hearts, according to times and circumstances—whether in words and deeds, aims or intentions.

All of us should refuse to be satisfied with the outer forms of actions until we call our hearts to account before Allah, Exalted is He, for their inner realities. At the same time, let us possess a lofty himmah (heaven-bound aspiration) that races toward the abodes of nearness and the fragrant breezes (3) of belovedness and love. Fortunate is the one who secures a portion of that, whose Master (4) remains near to him in every state with a special nearness; such a servant is then clothed in the fruit of awe and veneration for the Mighty, the Majestic.

Love and awe are both affirmed in the Noble Book and in the transmitted Sunnah. Allah, Exalted, says: