assent, by reasoning as follows: If this woman has such mercy for this child because she was a cause of his existence, then the Lord—the Creator of everything, from whom everything derives its existence—is all the more worthy of showing such mercy.

An example concerning what one is commanded to do is Ibn ‘Umar’s statement to his servant Nāfi‘, whom he saw praying in inadequate attire. He said, “Tell me, if I sent you on an errand, would you go like this?” He replied, “No.” He said, “Allah is more deserving of your dressing well for Him than people are.” This resembles the hadith of Bahz ibn Hakīm. Another example is the hadith