When these three qualities are present in a person (1) and he is aided by divine success, he belongs to the group (2) for whom the Most Excellent Reward has already been ordained by their Lord and for whom divine care has been brought to completion.

These are the first category mentioned in the Prophet’s ﷺ words: “The likeness of the guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me…,” the ḥadīth cited earlier.

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The Shaykh—may Allah have mercy on him and be pleased with him—then related the news of the caravan and other matters until he said: “From first to last, everything hinges on dealing with Allah alone, cutting oneself off for Him with one’s entire heart, and remaining in constant need of Him. If a servant were to give this station its full due, he would behold the most astonishing wonders of his Lord’s bounty, benevolence, subtle kindness, and protection: the way He turns the hearts of His servants toward him and plants mercy and love for him within their breasts.

“Yet we must say: Our Lord, our own meanness, ignorance, wrongdoing, and manifold offenses have overwhelmed us. We confess our negligence and shortcomings. Whoever among us claims any standing before You is but abject and insignificant. If You leave us to ourselves, You leave us to loss, weakness, sin, and transgression. Alas, what regret and sorrow would attend the loss of Your good pleasure—even if every other being were displeased! How grieved we would be to prefer anything to obeying and loving You, or to fall short in sincere dealings with You.

Would that You were sweet while life is bitter,
And that You were pleased while all mankind is angry.”}