its socket, and a grievous wrong was done to him. Yet, by Allah, Mālik thereafter only rose in honor and stature.

I say: This is the fruit of a praiseworthy trial—it elevates a servant in the eyes of the believers. In any event, it is nothing but the result of what our own hands have earned, while Allah pardons much: “Whomever Allah intends good for, He afflicts him.” (1)

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every decree that befalls the believer is good for him.” (2)

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “We shall certainly test you until We make manifest those of you who strive and those who are patient.” [Muḥammad 31]

And regarding the events of Uḥud He revealed: “So when a calamity befell you, although you had inflicted twice as much, you said, ‘How is this?’ Say, ‘It is from your own selves.’” [Āl ʿImrān 165]

He also says: “Whatever calamity strikes you is because of what your own hands have earned, and He pardons much.” [al-Shūrā 30]

Thus, when the believer is tested he remains patient, takes admonition, seeks forgiveness, and does not occupy himself with vilifying the one through whom the punishment came, for Allah is a just Judge. He then praises Allah for the soundness of his religion and knows that punishment in this world is lighter—and better—for him.

Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ said: A number of scholars have composed works on the virtues of Mālik (may Allah have mercy on him), among them:
• Qāḍī Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Tustarī (3) al-Mālikī, in three volumes;
• Abū al-Ḥasan ibn Fihr of Egypt (4);
• Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Firyābī, the judge;
• Abū Bishr al-Dhūlābī, the ḥāfiẓ;
• al-Zubayr ibn Bakkār;
• and Abū ʿUlāthah Muḥammad ibn Abī Ghassān.