—something they held to be praiseworthy. It is said: This is mistaken for several reasons.

First: Monasticism was not practiced by everyone who followed him; even those who kept his company, such as the disciples, did not include a single monk. Monasticism was introduced only later, whereas compassion and mercy were placed in the heart of everyone who followed him.

Second: Allah has informed us that they themselves invented monasticism, unlike compassion and mercy, which they did not invent. Since they originated it, it was never legislated for them. Therefore, if the “placing” in the verse refers to a prescriptive religious ruling rather than a universal creational decree, monasticism is not included. And if it refers merely to a creational moral disposition, there is still no praise in that for monasticism.

Third: Compassion and mercy are qualities lodged in the heart, whereas monasticism is not confined to the heart; it involves renouncing lawful pleasures such as marriage, meat, and the like. A group of the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—once contemplated adopting monasticism, so Allah revealed His prohibition in the verse: “O you who believe, do not forbid the good things Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress. Surely Allah does not love the transgressors” (al-Maʾidah 5:87).

It is likewise authentically established in the two Ṣaḥīḥs that several of the Prophet’s Companions—Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—said: one of them declared, “As for me, I will fast continually and never break my fast,” while another said, “As for me….”