harm, or he does not ask for it. If he asks for something less than that and seeks refuge from something less than that, then he has all the more reason to ask for Paradise and seek refuge from the Fire.

If contentment means never asking for anything, even when desperately in need of it, and never seeking refuge from anything, even when it is harmful to him, then either his heart turns to Allah to do that for him, or he turns away from all of this. If his heart turns to Allah, then he is asking and seeking refuge through his state.

There is no difference between asking through one’s state and asking through one’s words. Indeed, doing both is more complete and perfect, so one should not abandon that. If, however, he turns away from all of this, it is well known that he can only live and survive through what sustains his life and wards off harm. As for what keeps him alive—securing benefits and warding off harm—either he loves it, seeks it, and desires it from someone, or he neither loves it, seeks it, nor desires it. If he loves it, seeks it, and desires it from someone other than Allah, then he is guilty of associating partners with Allah and deserves blame, far from deserving praise.