except with You. For there is nothing whatsoever in existence from which one may flee, seek refuge, or seek shelter (1) that is not from Allah—brought into being and originated by Him.

Accordingly, the one who flees and seeks refuge is actually running away from what Allah’s decree, will, and creative power (2) have brought about, toward what His mercy, beneficence, subtle kindness, and generosity require. In reality, he is escaping from Allah to Allah and seeking protection with Allah from Him.

Grasping these two realities severs the servant’s heart (4) completely from any attachment to anything other than Allah (5) in matters of fear, hope, and love. Once he knows that what he flees (6) and seeks refuge from exists only by Allah’s will, power, and creation, no fear of anyone besides his Creator and Originator remains in his heart. This necessarily entails singling out Allah alone for fear, love, and hope. Had his flight been from something that did not come about through Allah’s will or power, that would itself obligate him to fear it—just as when a person runs from one creature to another that is more powerful than the first (7). While fleeing from the former to the latter he remains afraid of the first, wary (8) lest the second fail to protect (9) him from it; whereas if the one