for attaining what is intended through the other. For someone who reflects with corrupt intentions and follows his desires achieves the desired end in neither knowledge nor action. Likewise, a worshipper whose reflection is unsound achieves the desired end in neither knowledge nor action. Rather, each is obligatory in its own right and a prerequisite for the other. Both paths must therefore be pursued, though not at the same time, and all of this must accord with what the Messenger conveyed and commanded.

When both are attained, the servant is among those who follow guidance from their Lord and who are successful. Otherwise, he is among those who have incurred wrath and those who have gone astray—as with someone who confines himself to reflection without action, or action without reflection, or combines the two but disregards whether his reflection and action follow the prescribed and commanded course.

What, then, of someone who engages in reflection alone, contrary to revealed law, as is the case with many philosophers and speculative theologians; or in practice alone, contrary to revealed law, as is the case with many devotees among the philosophers and Sufis? Such is the matter, and Allah knows best.