the Most High has stated that He removes what they call upon Him about: the hardship concerning which they supplicated.

As for the believer, once his need has been met, he must worship Allah sincerely, as He has commanded him. If he fulfills only what is obligatory, he is among the righteous; if he fulfills both what is obligatory and what is recommended, he is among those brought near to Allah. Whoever neglects some of what he has been commanded after his need has been met is among the sinners. This may involve minor association of partners with Allah, which afflicts most people—whether concerning His lordship or His exclusive right to be worshipped—as explained at length elsewhere. In places and times of ignorance, many people may fall into major association of partners with Allah without knowing it.

The supplicant’s aim is to obtain what he asks for. Even if he attains what the Lord loves—turning to Him, loving Him, and repenting to Him—this is incidental. It may endure, but usually it does not, unless what the Lord loves is itself what he asks for. For example, he may ask Allah to grant him repentance and help him remember Him, thank Him, and worship Him well. Here, what he seeks is beloved to the Lord. This is why Allah condemns those who seek only this world, saying:

“Among the people are those who say, ‘Our Lord, give us in this world,’ but they will have no share in the Hereafter.”

As for the one who praises Allah, his very praise is beloved to the Lord, while what the supplicant seeks is attained implicitly and as a secondary consequence. This is therefore more exalted. Yet this is fully realized only by one who purifies his faith