with reverence, veneration, respect, deference, modesty⦗1⦘, awe, fearful regard⦗3⦘, and sincere devotion—so much so that they empty their hearts and limbs for their sake⦗4⦘—then the King of kings, the Lord of the heavens and the earth⦗5⦘, is far worthier of being treated⦗6⦘ in that way, indeed⦗7⦘ many times over.
When a servant witnesses within himself that he has not fulfilled his Lord’s right of servitude—nor anything close to it—he becomes aware of his own deficiency⦗9⦘. In that state nothing remains for him⦗10⦘ but to seek forgiveness and to apologize for his shortcomings, negligence, and failure to render the right that is due⦗11⦘. He realizes that his need for Allah to pardon his very acts of worship and overlook him therein⦗12⦘ is greater than his need to ask Him⦗13⦘ for any reward on account of them; for even were he to give that worship its full due⦗14⦘, it would only be something owed by right.
(1) Manuscript C reads bi-al-ikhlas (with sincerity) in place of bi-al-ijlal lahum (with veneration for them).
(2) The phrase wa-al-ihtiram wa-al-tawqir wa-al-haya (respect, reverence, and modesty) is omitted from manuscript C.
(3) The phrase wa-al-khashyah (and awe) is omitted from manuscript C.
(4) The phrase bi-haythu yufrighuna qulubuhum wa-jawarihahum lahum (such that they devote their hearts and faculties to them) is omitted from manuscript C.
(5) The phrase wa-Rabb al-samawat wa-al-ard (and the Lord of the heavens and the earth) is omitted from manuscript C.
(6) The phrase an yuamila (that he should deal) is omitted from manuscript C.
(7) Omitted from the base manuscript; supplied from manuscripts B and C.
(8) The base manuscript reads yarif (knows); the reading adopted is from manuscript B.
(9) Manuscript C has fa-idha alima al-abd dhalika (when the servant knows that) in place of the passage from wa-idha shahida (and when he witnesses) through alima taqsirahu wa- (he realizes his deficiency and).
(10) The phrase ma'a dhalika (despite that) is omitted from manuscript C.
(11) The phrase wa-adam al-qiyam bi-ma yanbaghi lahu min haqqihi (and failing to fulfill what is due to Him of His right) is omitted from manuscript C.
(12) The phrase wa-yafu anhu fiha (and He pardons him concerning it) is omitted from manuscript C.
(13) Manuscript C reads ahwaj man yatlubu alayha (more in need than one who asks for it) in place of ahwaj minhu ila an yatluba minhu alayha (more in need of it than of asking Him for it).
(14) The word huwa (he) is omitted from manuscript C.