This applies to all the blessings that Allah Most High has bestowed upon the children of Adam and through which He has tested them. Whoever is grateful and patient in these matters is among Allah’s pious allies, and among those tested through love who show patience and gratitude. But if the person tested is neither patient nor grateful, instead neglecting what Allah has commanded and doing what He has forbidden, he is disobedient, defiantly sinful, or a disbeliever. Someone spared this trial is better than him, unless that person has other sins that place him on an equal footing with him.

If he combines obedience with disobedience, then, if his obedience outweighs his disobedience, he is superior to someone who has nothing comparable to his credit. But if his disobedience outweighs his obedience, someone free of that is better than him. If he possesses wealth that enables him to commit indecencies and injustice, yet resists his desires and spends it seeking Allah’s countenance, Allah loves this from him, honours him, and rewards him.

Likewise, someone with a beautiful voice who refrains from using it in effeminate ways and in singing, and instead uses it to beautify the recitation of Allah’s Book and recite it melodiously, is better, through this righteous deed and his abandonment of evil, than someone who does not do likewise. He is rewarded for reciting Allah’s Book, and his deed thus embodies the meaning of both prayer and zakat.

For this reason, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Allah listens to nothing as He listens to a prophet with a beautiful voice reciting the Quran melodiously and aloud.” He also said: “Allah listens more attentively to a man with a beautiful voice reciting the Quran than the owner of a singing slave girl listens to her.”