it bears the body and wards off a host of ailments, whereas when that strength is weak it can scarcely support the body at all and diseases assail it with the greatest speed.
Therefore, let your entire structure rest upon the solid power of the foundation of faith. If something from the upper stories or the roof becomes damaged, you will find it far easier to repair than if the very base were ruined.
This foundation consists of two matters: first, sound knowledge of Allah, His commands, His names, and His attributes; second, exclusive submission to Him and to His Messenger, to the exclusion of all besides them. No firmer footing can a servant choose for his spiritual edifice, and in proportion to its soundness the building may rise as high as he pleases.
So strengthen the foundation, preserve your vitality, keep to a regimen of spiritual discipline, and purge whatever corrupt matter increases within you. Hold fast to moderation and you will reach the desired goal; but if your strength remains frail, the harmful matter persists, and no purging takes place,
then bid life farewell, for it has already
announced to you the nearness of departure.
Once the building is complete, whiten it with good character and kindness toward people. Then surround it with a wall of vigilance so that no enemy can breach it nor any nakedness be exposed. Draw curtains over its doors, and lock the great gate by keeping silent about whatever you fear may have evil consequences. Install for it a key made of the remembrance of Allah: with that key you open and with that key you close. Should you open, you open with the key; and if you shut the door, you shut it with the same. In this way you will have constructed a fortress within which you are secure from your enemies; when they circle around it, they will find no point of entry and will despair of ever reaching you.
Thereafter, inspect the fortress continually, for if the enemy loses hope of entering through the gate he will begin tunneling from a distance with the pickaxes of sin. Should you neglect his effort, the tunnel will break through and the enemy will be with you inside the fortress, at which point it will be difficult for you