For this reason, Allah Most High says: “So seek provision from Allah, worship Him, and be grateful to Him.” 1 “The servant cannot do without provision and is in need of it. If he seeks his provision from Allah, he becomes a servant of Allah, dependent upon Him; but if he seeks it from a created being, he becomes a servant of that created being, dependent upon him.” 2.

“The created being’s dependence upon and need for his Lord are intrinsic to him; he cannot exist without Him. Created beings differ, however, in whether they perceive this dependence or remain oblivious to it. The servant is dependent upon Allah in two respects: worship and seeking help, as Allah—Glorified is He—says: ‘You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.’ The servant is dependent upon Allah as the One he worships and loves with reverence and veneration. His heart can neither become sound nor prosper, nor experience joy or delight, nor find contentment, rest, or tranquility, except by worshipping his Lord and turning to Him in repentance. Even if he were to obtain everything among created things that gives him pleasure, he would find neither tranquility nor rest, for he has an intrinsic need for his Lord as the One he worships, loves, and seeks. Through this he attains joy, gladness, delight, bliss, repose, and tranquility. The servant is also dependent upon Allah for His aid in surrendering to His command, submitting to His judgment, and humbling himself before His law, for he cannot attain or uphold any of this unless Allah assists him.” 3.

There is an important principle here to which the scholars have drawn attention, namely that every living being other than Allah,