Section: The servant’s poverty before Allah in all that reforms him and toward which he aspires

The servant, just as he is perpetually needy of Allah for assistance, the answering of his supplication, the granting of his requests, and the fulfilment of his needs, is likewise needy of Him to know what will truly set him right and what it is that he ought to seek and desire. That very knowledge constitutes the realm of divine commands and prohibitions—the revealed law (sharīʿah).

For if the need he asked for were granted while it contained no real benefit, it would in fact harm him, even though in the moment he might taste some pleasure or gain. What matters is benefit that is pure or predominant. Allah has made this clear to His servants through His messengers and scriptures: they taught them, purified them, commanded them with what benefits them, and forbade them from what harms them. They clarified that the One they must seek, intend, and worship is Allah alone, without partner, just as He alone is their Lord and Creator. Should they abandon His worship or associate another with Him, they would incur manifest loss and stray far indeed.

Any power, knowledge, prestige, wealth, or the like that they possess—though in all of it they remain poor before Allah, seeking His help and affirming His lordship—will turn to their detriment, and an evil end and wretched abode await them if they misuse it.

This is the domain governed by the prescriptive religious command and will, just as the earlier discussion concerned the cosmic decretive command and will. And Allah, exalted be He, has bestowed His favour upon the believers…