and rejoices, whereas whoever disobeys Allah is afraid and remorseful.
Then ask Allah for yaqīn (unshakable certainty) and earnestly beseech Him for ʿāfiyah (well-being), for the finest treasure to remain in the heart is certainty. Indeed, the most resolute of affairs are the best of them, while whatever is newly introduced into them is the worst (1). Every newly introduced matter is a bidʿah (religious innovation), and everyone who introduces one is an innovator; whoever innovates has squandered [his religion], and no innovator originates a bidʿah without abandoning a sunnah. The truly defrauded is he who is defrauded in his religion, and the real loser is he who ruins his own soul. Ostentation is a form of shirk (associating partners with Allah), whereas sincerity is part of righteous action (2) and of faith. Gatherings of frivolity make one forget the Quran; Satan attends them, and they beckon to every deviation. Keeping company with women (3) causes hearts to swerve and eyes to covet them—they are the snares of Satan.
So be truthful with Allah, for Allah is with those who are truthful, and avoid lying, for lying is alien to faith. Verily, truth stands upon a lofty height of deliverance and honor, whereas falsehood stands upon a base precipice of ruin and disgrace.
Speak the truth so that you may be known by it, and act upon it so that you may be counted among its people. Render trusts to those who entrust them to you; maintain the ties of kinship with those who cut you off; return kindness to those who deprive you. When you make a covenant, fulfil it; when you judge, judge with justice. Do not boast about your forefathers, do not revile one another with nicknames, do not jest excessively, and let none of you provoke another to anger. Support the weak, the wronged, those burdened by debt, those striving in the path of Allah, the wayfarer, the petitioners, and those in bondage. Show mercy to the widow and the orphan; spread the greeting of peace and return it to its people with the like of it or with something better: “Cooperate in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression; and fear Allah—indeed, Allah is severe in punishment” (Quran 5:2).
Honor the guest, be good to the neighbor, visit the sick, follow the funeral processions, and be—O servants of Allah—brothers to one another.
To proceed: this world has turned away and announced its departure, while the Hereafter has drawn near (4) and already looms in sight. Today is the training ground, and tomorrow is the race; the prize is Paradise and the finish line is the Fire (5). You are living in days of respite beyond which lies a term that is being driven forward with haste. Whoever dedicates his deeds sincerely to Him during this period of reprieve (6) before his appointed time arrives has perfected his work and attained his hope; but whoever falls short has ruined his deeds, forfeited his hope, and been harmed by that very hope.
Therefore work in both longing and fear: if longing comes to you, thank Allah and couple it with fear; and if fear comes to you, remember Allah and couple it with longing. Allah has promised the believers the best outcome, and to whoever is grateful He grants increase. I have never seen anything like Paradise—its seeker sleeps!—nor anything like the Fire—its fugitive sleeps! I have never seen anyone accumulate more profit than what he amasses for a Day when reserves will be displayed, secrets will be exposed, and grave matters will converge.
Behold, whoever is not benefited by truth will be harmed by falsehood; whoever does not stand upright upon guidance will be dragged by misguidance (7); whoever is not benefited by certainty will be harmed by doubt; and whoever gains no benefit from his present mind (8) will suffer when it deserts him.