toward idols that have no power to do anything for them and can neither benefit nor harm them. They seek their aid, appeal to them for rescue, and bring their needs and requests before them. Allah Most High says: “When adversity touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him alone. Then, when He bestows upon him a blessing from Himself, he forgets the One upon whom he had called before and sets up rivals to Allah.” 1 He also says: “When adversity touches man, he calls upon Us while lying on his side, sitting, or standing. But when We remove his adversity, he goes on as though he had never called upon Us concerning an adversity that had befallen him.” 2 He also says: “When adversity touches man, he calls upon Us. Then, when We bestow upon him a blessing from Us, he says, ‘I was granted this only because of my knowledge.’ Rather, it is a trial.” 3 He also says: “When We bestow blessings upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when adversity touches him, he pours forth lengthy supplications.” 4

There are many verses expressing this meaning, and they clearly condemn those who know Allah only in times of adversity and hardship, whereas in times of ease they shun and turn away, indulge in distractions and heedlessness, and fail to turn to Allah, Mighty and Majestic.

A Muslim must therefore turn to Allah in every circumstance—in ease and hardship, prosperity and adversity, wealth and poverty, health and sickness. Whoever knows Allah in times of ease, Allah will know him in times of hardship and will be his Helper, Protector, Supporter, and Defender.