in Allah, He will suffice him.”
That is, He is sufficient for him. The word hasb means “sufficient.” If, in addition to this, he is among the God-fearing, his ultimate outcome will be praiseworthy. If he is not among the God-fearing, he belongs to:
The fourth category: those who recognize that Allah alone brings benefit and harm, that whatever He wills comes to pass and whatever He does not will does not come to pass, yet do not align themselves with what He loves and is pleased with. Such a person relies upon Him and seeks His help in pursuing his own interests, desires, and aims. He asks Him for them and lays them before Him, so his requests are fulfilled and he is granted what he seeks. Yet no good ultimate outcome awaits him, whether what he receives is wealth, authority, standing among people, or states involving unveiling, influence, strength, and empowerment. These are akin to outward dominion. Wealth does not necessarily imply Islam, let alone friendship with Allah and nearness to Him. Dominion, standing, wealth, and such states are granted to the righteous and the wicked, to believers and disbelievers alike.
Anyone who takes any of these things as evidence that Allah loves and is pleased with the person to whom He has granted them, and that this person is among His close allies, is among the most ignorant of people. He is among those furthest from knowing Allah and His religion, and from distinguishing between what He loves and is pleased with and what He hates and is angered by. Such a state belongs to this worldly life, just like dominion and wealth. If it helps its possessor obey Allah, seek His pleasure, and carry out His commands, it places him among righteous, just rulers. Otherwise, it becomes a source of harm to him, distances him from Allah, and places him among oppressive rulers and wicked wealthy people.
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Once this is understood, a servant cannot truly embody “You alone we worship” without two great foundations:
The first is following the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
The second is sincere devotion to the One worshipped. This is what it means to realize “You alone we worship.”
People are likewise divided into four categories according to these two foundations:
The first consists of those who sincerely devote themselves to the One worshipped and follow the Messenger. They are the ones who truly embody “You alone we worship.” All their deeds are for Allah, their words are for Allah, their giving is for Allah, their withholding is for Allah, and their love