to the former—not through any additional enabling grace that brought about their faith—and having forsaken the latter through some other act that brought about their disbelief. The worshippers among these people therefore have a deficient share of worship, unaccompanied by seeking Allah’s help.
They are thus left to themselves, with the path of seeking Allah’s help and affirming His oneness closed to them. Ibn ʿAbbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “Belief in divine decree holds belief in Allah’s oneness together. Whoever believes in Allah but denies His decree, his denial undoes his affirmation of Allah’s oneness.”
The second type consists of those who perform acts of worship and regular devotions, but whose share of reliance upon Allah and seeking His help is deficient. Their hearts have not grasped how causes are bound to divine decree, fade into insignificance within it, and depend upon it for their existence; how, without divine decree, they are like lifeless things that have no effect—indeed, like nonexistence itself; and how divine decree is like the spirit that sets them in motion, while reliance must be placed upon the first mover.
Their insight has not penetrated beyond what is moved to the one who moves it, beyond the cause to the One who brings about its effect, or beyond the instrument to the agent. Their resolve has therefore weakened and their aspirations have fallen short, leaving them with little share of “You alone we ask for help.” They have not tasted the sweetness of worshipping Allah through reliance upon Him and seeking His help, even though they have tasted it through regular devotions and prescribed observances. Their share of success, effectiveness, and influence is proportionate to their seeking Allah’s help and relying upon Him. If a servant relied upon Allah as He truly deserves in moving a mountain from its place, and had been commanded to move it, he would move it.
If you ask, “What, then, is the meaning of reliance upon Allah and seeking His help?”
I reply: It is a state of the heart arising from its knowledge of Allah: that He alone creates and governs, harms and benefits, gives and withholds; that whatever He wills comes to pass, even if people do not will it, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass, even if people will it. This gives rise to dependence upon Him, entrusting one’s affairs to Him, finding reassurance in Him, trusting Him, and being certain that He will suffice for whatever one relies upon Him for; that He is fully able to accomplish it; and that it can come about only by His will, whether people desire it or refuse it.
The servant’s state thus resembles that of a child with his parents when faced with something he desires or fears, which they are fully able to address. Consider how his heart turns to no one but his parents, and how he concentrates all his concern on placing what he seeks in their hands. Such is the state of one who relies upon Allah. Whoever is like this with Allah, Allah will assuredly suffice him. Allah Most High says (65:3):
“And whoever puts his trust