placed before its subject, which is the phrase “nor dispensed with (1).”

The preferable analysis of the genitive (2) is to take it as standing in apposition to the pronoun governed by the preposition in ‘anhu (“with Him”).

The preferable analysis of the accusative is to take it as an expression of praise qualifying the name of Allah Most High.

I heard our teacher, Taqī al-Dīn ibn Taymiyyah—may Allah sanctify his soul—(3) explain the meaning of this hadith as follows:

When a created being bestows a favour upon you, you can repay him. His favours do not last: they must (4) eventually leave you, and he will cease to bestow them upon you. You can also dispense with him. But Allah—Exalted is He—cannot be repaid for His blessings. When He blesses you, He makes His blessings endure, for He is the One who grants wealth and lasting possessions. Nor can He be dispensed with for even the blink of an eye. This is the meaning (5) of his words.

The purpose here is to mention the words of praise with which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would praise his Lord (6) on occasions calling for praise.

Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī reported that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, finished his meal, he would say: “Praise be to Allah, who has fed us, given us drink (7), and made us Muslims.” Reported by Abū Dāwūd