to what the Lord loves has not truly repented; for repentance is a return, an advance, and a turning in devotion—it is not mere abstention.

Twentieth Aspect: When a commanded act is missed, the very life intended for the servant slips away. Concerning that life the Exalted says, “O you who believe! Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life” (al-Anfal 24); and He says, “Is one who was dead and We gave him life and set for him a light by which he walks among the people like one whose likeness is in layers of darkness?” (al-An‘am 122). About the disbelievers He says, “Dead, devoid of life” (al-Nahl 21), and, “You cannot make the dead hear” (al-Naml 80). By contrast, when a prohibition is violated, its utmost effect is sickness—and life with illness is still better than death.

If it is objected, “Among the forbidden matters is that which brings about destruction—namely shirk,” the reply is: Destruction occurs only because the commanded monotheism that constitutes true life has been abandoned. When that is missing, destruction ensues; no one is destroyed except the one who has failed to carry out the commanded duty.

Twenty-first Aspect: Among the obligations are some whose neglect causes ruin and everlasting misery, while nothing among the prohibitions inevitably entails that.

Twenty-second Aspect: Performing a commanded act—when done with sincerity, conformity to the Sunnah, and genuine devotion to Allah—necessitates abandoning what is forbidden. Allah says, “Indeed, prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing” (al-Ankabut 45). Mere avoidance of a prohibition, however, neither entails nor ensures performance of the commanded duty.

Twenty-third Aspect: What He loves of the commanded duties is connected to His attributes, whereas what He detests of the forbidden acts pertains only to His created effects.