Once his victory had reached perfection, the message had been conveyed, and the trust delivered, a heavenly decree came down to him: “Indeed, We have granted you a manifest conquest (1) so that Allah may forgive you your former and latter sins, perfect His favor upon you, and guide you to a straight path (2), and that Allah may assist you with a mighty assistance (3)” (Al-Fath 48:1-3). This was followed by the royal seal: “When the help of Allah and the victory come (1) and you see people entering Allah’s religion in crowds (2)” (An-Nasr 110:1-2). Then the Messenger of his Lord arrived, giving him the choice between staying in this world and returning to meet Him, and out of longing he chose the meeting with his Lord (1). Paradise therefore adorned itself for the arrival of his noble soul as no city ever adorns itself for the arrival of a king. If the Throne of the All-Merciful trembled at the death of one of his followers (2), rejoicing in the approach of that servant’s spirit, what then of the arrival of the spirit of the Master of all creation?!
O you who affiliate yourself with any domain other than this one! O you who stand at any door but his!
You will know on the Day of Gathering what inner state you carry—the Day when all secrets are laid bare.
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• O you who are deluded by idle hopes! Iblis was cursed and cast down from the station of honor for neglecting a single prostration he had been commanded to perform. Adam was expelled from the Garden for a single mouthful he tasted. A murderer was barred from it after beholding it with his own eyes for the handful of blood he shed. The fornicator has been sentenced to the harshest execution for inserting no more than the tip of a finger where it is forbidden. A back is to be flayed with lashes for one word of slander or a single drop of intoxicant. A limb of yours may be severed for three dirhams’ worth of theft. So do not feel secure that He will not confine you to the Fire for one solitary sin: “and He does not fear the consequence” (Ash-Shams 91:15).