—whether stating it outright or hinting at it (1)—or else someone utterly indifferent to this endeavor, turning away from it. Would that everyone were like this (2), for he has truly done you a kindness who leaves you and your path alone and does not cast his evil upon you. As the poet said:

We live in an age in which merely refraining from the ugly
is, for most people, an act of beneficence and grace. (3)

If this is what now counts as people’s goodwill, then what is required in our time is that they assist one another on this journey by keeping their distance, by withholding blame and objection—save for the rare occurrence, which would be a cold, trifling windfall of no real worth.

It is proper (4) that the servant not suspend his progress for the sake of such a windfall; rather, he should press on even if he must travel alone, like a stranger, for setting out by oneself along the path of seeking is proof of sincere love.

Whoever looks into these words contained in this small leaflet (5) will know that they are among the most important means by which mutual support in righteousness and piety is attained, and by which the journey of migration to Allah and His Messenger is undertaken. This (6) is what the one who penned them (7) intended by writing them, and he has made them