The greatest sources of aid for the ruler in particular, and for others generally, are three:

The first is sincerity (1) to Allah and placing one’s trust in Him through supplication and otherwise. The foundation of this is to maintain the prayers with both heart and body.

The second is doing good to people by benefiting them and giving wealth, namely zakat.

The third is patiently enduring the harm (2) caused by people and other adversities. This is why Allah frequently joins prayer with patience, as in His words in two places: “Seek help through patience and prayer” [al-Baqarah: 45, 153]; and His words, Most High: “Establish prayer at the two ends of the day and in the early hours of the night. Surely good deeds erase evil deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember. (114) And be patient, for Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost” [Hūd: 114–115]. He also says: “So be patient over what they say, and glorify your Lord with praise before sunrise and before sunset” [Tā Hā: 130]. Likewise, in Surah Qāf: “So be patient over what they say, and glorify your Lord with praise before sunrise and before sunset” [Qāf: 39]. And He says: “We certainly know that your heart is distressed by what they say. (97) So glorify your Lord with praise and be among those who prostrate” [al-Hijr: 97–98].

As for His pairing of prayer with zakat in the Quran, this occurs exceedingly often. Thus, the observance (3) of prayer