The First Counsel: Faith in Allah

The first thing I counsel you both is what Abraham and Jacob enjoined upon their sons: “My sons, Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except as Muslims.” Al-Baqarah 132.

I also forbid you both what Luqman forbade his son while admonishing him: “My son, do not associate partners with Allah. Associating partners with Him is truly a grave injustice.” Luqman 13.

I emphatically reiterate this counsel to you both, out of my earnest desire that you remain attached to this religion and hold fast to it—the religion with which Allah Most High has favored us. Let no worldly concern cause either of you to slip away from it. Sacrifice your very lives for its sake—how much more, then, your worldly possessions! No good can avail a person if it is followed by eternal Hellfire, and no harm can matter if it is followed by eternal Paradise. “Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.” Āl Imrān 85.

Hope of Paradise for Those Who Believe in This Religion

If you both die adhering to this religion, which Allah has selected and chosen while forbidding all others, then I hope that we shall meet where we will fear no separation and expect no departure. Allah Most High knows how deeply I long for that and how earnestly I desire it, just as He knows how fearful I am that either of you might stumble or be led astray by some temptation, thereby incurring such wrath from Allah Most High as would consign him to the abode of ruin and condemn him to dwell eternally in the Fire. He would then neither join the believers among his forebears nor benefit from the righteousness of his ancestors, on the Day when “no parent will avail his child, nor will any child avail his parent in the least. Allah’s promise is indeed true. So do not let the life of this world deceive you, nor let the Deceiver deceive you concerning Allah.”