(Ghāfir 55). Thus, he combines obedience to Allah’s command with patience in adversity, as Allah Most High says:

“If you are patient and mindful of Allah, their schemes will not harm you in the least.” (Āl ʿImrān 120)

And He says:

“If you are patient and mindful of Allah, that is indeed a matter requiring firm resolve.” (Āl ʿImrān 186)

And Joseph, peace be upon him, said:

“Whoever is mindful of Allah and patient—Allah certainly does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.” (Yūsuf 90)

The point here is that what al-Qushayrī related from al-Nasrābādhī is among the finest sayings: “Whoever wishes to attain the station of contentment should adhere to that in which Allah has placed His pleasure.”

Likewise, Shaykh Abū Sulaymān said: “When the servant ceases to yearn for worldly pleasures, he is content.” What prevents a servant from being content and satisfied is his soul’s pursuit of gratification beyond its needs. When he does not obtain it, he becomes discontented; but when he lets go of the cravings of