• Subtle points elude the understanding of some people, so they end up ruling for the one who speaks in broad strokes against the meticulous critic. (1)

• By Allah I attain whatever I strive for and reach my goal—neither by my own power nor through any human intercessor.
Whenever I fall into despair and despondency is about to cut me off, hope comes racing from the very quarter of that despair. (2)

• When Adam sought everlasting life in Paradise by means of the tree, he was punished by being expelled from it; and when Joseph sought release from prison through the companion who had seen the dream, he remained there for several years.

• When a decree that the servant dislikes befalls him, he should look at it from six perspectives:

1. The perspective of tawḥīd (affirming divine oneness): Allah alone decreed, willed, and created it; whatever Allah wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will never occurs.
2. The perspective of justice: His judgment is carried out in it, and His decree concerning it is just.
3. The perspective of mercy: His mercy within this decree prevails over His wrath and retribution, and that mercy forms its very core.
4. The perspective of wisdom: His wisdom—exalted is He—required it; He did not decree it in vain, nor ordain it frivolously. (3)
5. The perspective of praise: to Him belongs complete praise for it from every angle.
6. The perspective of servitude: he is a servant through and through in every respect, upon whom