of estrangement.
Zayd ibn Aslam said: It used to be said, “Whoever fears Allah will be loved by people, even if they dislike it.” (1)
Al-Thawri said to Ibn Abī Dhīʾb: “If you fear Allah, people will be enough for you; but if you fear people, they will avail you nothing against Allah.” (2)
Solomon son of David said: “We have been granted what other people have been granted and what they have not, and taught what they have been taught and what they have not. Yet we have found nothing better than fearing Allah in private and in public, dealing justly in anger and in satisfaction, and exercising moderation in poverty and in wealth.” (3)
In al-Zuhd of Imām Aḥmad there is a Divine report: “No creature who seeks refuge in another creature instead of Me will do so without My severing from him every means in the heavens and the earth; if he asks of Me, I will not give him; if he calls upon Me, I will not answer him; and if he seeks My forgiveness, I will not forgive him. But no creature who seeks refuge in Me to the exclusion of My creation will do so without the heavens and the earth guaranteeing his provision; if he asks of Me, I will give him; if he calls upon Me, I will answer him; and if he seeks My forgiveness, I will forgive him.” (4)