Section (1)

After praising Allah (2) with the praises for which He alone is worthy (3), and invoking blessings and peace (4) upon the Seal of His prophets and messengers (5), Muhammad ﷺ, for Allah—exalted is He—says in His Book: “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression; and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.” (2) (6)

This verse gathers within it every benefit the servants need for their life in this world and for the Hereafter, both in their dealings with one another (7) and in their dealings with their Lord. Every servant, without exception, finds himself continually in these two situations and bound by these two obligations (8): a duty that lies between him and Allah, and a duty that lies between him and created beings.

As for what lies between him and people—social interaction, mutual assistance, and companionship—his obligation is that his association with them and his fellowship of them be a cooperation toward what pleases Allah and toward obedience to Him, which is the pinnacle of a servant’s happiness and success; he has no happiness (9) except through it, and it is