beneficial and achieves nothing, but is merely thought to be beneficial, it too is not enjoined. Nothing that brings no benefit is enjoined, and anything whose harm outweighs its benefit is prohibited.

In sum, means are either within one’s power or beyond it. For what lies beyond one’s power, there is only supplication and reliance upon Allah. As for what lies within one’s power, either its harm predominates or it does not. If its harm predominates, it is prohibited; if its harm does not predominate, it is prohibited just as wasting wealth and engaging in pointless activity are prohibited. As for a means within one’s power whose benefit predominates, this is what is beneficial and what the hadiths enjoin and encourage.

One should also bear in mind that reliance upon Allah is among the greatest means. Some means may weaken one’s reliance upon Him; abandoning them may therefore perfect that reliance. This classification is comprehensive, and divine decree encompasses everything that occurs. This clarifies how these hadiths are to be understood.

As for the hadith concerning castration, castration is prohibited because its harm predominates. It is established in the Sahīh that Sa‘d ibn Abī Waqqās, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade ‘Uthmān ibn Maz‘ūn from embracing celibacy. Had he permitted it, we would have castrated ourselves.”