As for what had been enjoined upon them—namely, seeking Allah’s good pleasure—it is attained by carrying out what Allah has legislated for them, whether obligatory or recommended, for that alone is what He approves. Whoever performs what Allah approves has fulfilled what has been prescribed for him. Indeed, Allah’s pleasure is obtained simply by discharging the obligations, and this is what He has made incumbent upon His servants. Therefore, if nothing has been prescribed for them save the pursuit of His good pleasure, that pursuit itself becomes obligatory, and whatever is not obligatory is not a condition for achieving what has been laid upon them.

For this reason Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal and others declared weak the narration, “The beginning of the prayer time earns Allah’s good pleasure, while its end earns His pardon.” Whoever performs the prayer at the end of its allotted time, as commanded, has fulfilled the obligation, and by that Allah is pleased with him—although performing the recommended acts and racing to obedience is more effective in pleasing Allah, and through it a person attains of His pleasure and love what cannot be secured by obligations alone.