be mindful of Him. He is the One who made the earth a resting place for you and the sky a canopy, and sent down water from the sky, thereby bringing forth fruits as provision for you. So do not set up rivals to Allah while you know.” 1, “O mankind, Allah’s promise is certainly true. So do not let the life of this world deceive you, nor let the Deceiver deceive you about Allah.” 2, “O human being, what has deceived you concerning your Generous Lord, who created you, fashioned you, and proportioned you?” 3. Much of the Quran follows this same pattern in His address to His servants—with affection, tenderness, gentleness, and the most earnest counsel.

Allah Most High says: “When We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam,’ they all prostrated themselves except Iblīs. He was one of the jinn and rebelled against his Lord’s command. Will you then take him and his descendants as allies instead of Me, though they are your enemies? What an evil substitute for the wrongdoers!” 4. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Underlying this address is the message: ‘I made Iblīs My enemy, expelled him from My heaven, and banished him from nearness to Me because he would not prostrate himself before your father Adam. Yet you, his children, take him and his descendants as allies instead of Me, though they are your enemies.’ Let the discerning person reflect on how this address strikes home, how firmly it clings to hearts, and how deeply it intertwines with souls.

Furthermore, He—Glorified is He—has informed His servants that He is pleased with nothing for them but the noblest means, the finest stations, and the most sublime knowledge and understanding. Allah Most High says: “If you disbelieve, Allah has no need of you, and He does not approve disbelief for His servants. But if you are grateful, He approves it for you.” 5. He also says: “Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and approved Islam as your religion.” 6. And He says: