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, this or that would have happened.’ Rather, say, ‘Allah has decreed, and He does whatever He wills,’ for ‘if only’ opens the door to Satan’s work.”

Sunan Abī Dāwūd relates that two men brought a dispute before the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He ruled against one of them, and the man against whom he ruled said, “Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.” The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah reproaches helpless inaction. Rather, you must act with prudence; then, if something grieves you, say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’”

Abū al-Qāsim said: “Al-Wāsitī was asked about unbelief: ‘Is it through Allah, or does it belong to Allah?’ He replied, ‘Unbelief and faith, this world and the Hereafter, are from Allah, to Allah, through Allah, and belong to Allah: from Allah in their origin and creation; to Allah in their return and ultimate end; through Allah in their continued existence and passing away; and belonging to Allah as His possession and creation.’”

He said: “Al-Junayd said, ‘One of the scholars was asked about Allah’s oneness.