Thus, regarding “divine command,” he must strive to obey, both in knowledge and in practice. You must therefore continually strive to learn what Allah has commanded and to act upon it. He must then seek forgiveness and repent for neglecting what he has been commanded to do and for overstepping the limits. For this reason, it is prescribed to conclude all deeds by seeking forgiveness. When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, finished his prayer, he would seek forgiveness three times. Allah Most High says:

“And those who seek forgiveness before dawn.”

They prayed during the night and concluded it by seeking forgiveness. The last surah revealed was the saying of Allah Most High:

“When Allah’s help comes, and the victory,

and you see people entering Allah’s religion in crowds,

then glorify your Lord with praise and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.”

It is related in the authentic hadith collection that he, peace and blessings be upon him, would frequently say while bowing and prostrating:

“Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me.”

In doing so, he was putting the Quran’s command into practice.

As for “divine decree,” he must seek Allah’s help in doing what He has commanded, rely upon Him, supplicate to Him, earnestly turn to Him, seek refuge in Him, and acknowledge his need for Him in seeking good and abandoning evil. He must patiently endure what has been decreed and know that whatever befell him could not have missed him, and whatever missed him could not have befallen him. When people harm him, he should know that this has been decreed for him.

The debate between Adam and Moses falls into this category, when Moses said:

“O Adam, you are the father of humanity. Allah created you with His Hand, breathed into you of His spirit, and made His angels prostrate before you. Why did you expel us