allies. My only allies are Allah and the righteous believers.”

He has a greater claim over every believer than the believer has over himself. He is the intermediary between Allah and His creation in conveying His commands, prohibitions, promises, and warnings. What he declares lawful is lawful, what he declares forbidden is forbidden, and religion is what he prescribes. Allah alone is worshipped, petitioned, and called upon for help; He alone is feared, hoped in, and relied upon.

Allah Most High says:

“Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and is mindful of Him—it is they who will triumph.”

He thus makes obedience due to both Allah and the Messenger, as He says:

“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.”

But He reserves reverent fear and mindfulness for Allah alone, who has no partner. Allah Most High says:

“If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and had said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His bounty, and so will His Messenger. To Allah alone we turn in hope.’”

He thus attributes giving to both Allah and the Messenger, as He says:

“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it.”

No one may therefore take anything except what the Messenger has permitted, even if Allah has granted it to him through His power and sovereignty. For He grants sovereignty to whomever He wills and takes sovereignty away from whomever He wills. Thus, when standing upright after bowing and after concluding the prayer with the salutation, he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would say:

“O Allah, none can withhold what You give, and none can give what You withhold; nor can worldly fortune avail its possessor against You.”

That is, if You grant someone worldly fortune—good fortune, wealth, and power—nothing will save him from You except faith and piety. As for reliance, it is upon Allah alone, and longing is directed to Him alone, as He says: