And he said: “I heard Shaykh Abū ʿAbd al-Rahmān al-Sāmī say: ‘I heard Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh say: “I heard Abū Jaʿfar al-Saydalānī say: ‘I heard Abū Saʿīd al-Kharrāz say: “Whoever thinks he will attain his goal through his own exertions is wearing himself out; whoever thinks he will attain it without exertion is merely indulging in wishful thinking.”’”’”

These are sound words, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in an authentic hadith:

“Strive for what benefits you, seek Allah’s help, and do not give up. If something befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such.’ Rather, say, ‘This is what Allah decreed; He has done what He willed.’ For ‘if only’ opens the door to Satan’s work.”

He also said: “No one’s deeds will admit him to Paradise.” They asked: “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Not even me, unless Allah envelops me in His grace and mercy.”