No one can fend Him off or overpower Him in that moment, and in every moment dominion belongs to Allah, the True. Some Qur’an reciters read the word “al-ḥaqq” in the nominative, taking it as an adjective describing “the sovereignty”; the two—truth and sovereignty—are inseparable.

As for His saying, “He is better in reward and better in outcome,” dealing with Him brings its possessor the finest reward—true recompense—and the best eventual outcome, the good end in both this world and the Hereafter.

This story therefore teaches that no one should lean on worldly life, be deceived by it, or place his trust in it. Rather, he must keep Allah’s obedience and reliance upon Him constantly before his eyes. What is in Allah’s hand should be more certain to him than what is in his own hands.

It also shows that whoever puts anything ahead of obedience to Allah and spending in His path will be punished through that very thing and may even have it taken from him, a treatment contrary to his intention.

Likewise, one is obliged to accept the counsel of a sincere brother, and rejecting sound advice brings ruin and destruction upon the one who dismisses it.

Finally, remorse is of no use once the divine decree has arrived and the irrevocable command has been carried out. Allah’s help is sought, and upon Him alone we rely.