and we do not, and He knows all that is unseen. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Among the causes of happiness for the son of Adam are his asking Allah to choose what is best for him and his contentment with what Allah allots him. Among the causes of his misery are his neglecting to ask Allah to choose what is best for him and his displeasure with what Allah allots him.”

A merchant may be travelling and fear losing some of his wealth, and so need to remain until he has recovered it all. What we are engaged in is too momentous to describe. There is no power nor strength except through Allah. May Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you in great abundance, and upon everyone else in the household, young and old, and all the neighbours, relatives, and friends, each and every one. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May Allah bless Muhammad, his family, and his Companions, and grant them peace.

The shaykh also said, after praising Allah Most High and invoking blessings upon His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

To proceed:

Allah—to whom belongs all praise—has bestowed upon me such great blessings, immense favours, and generous bounties as call for profound gratitude, steadfast obedience, and the cultivation of patient perseverance in carrying out what He has commanded.

The servant is commanded to exercise even greater patience in prosperity than in adversity. Allah Most High says:

“And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us and then withdraw it from him, he is indeed despairing and ungrateful.

And if We give him a taste of prosperity after adversity has touched him, he will surely say, ‘My troubles have gone away.’ Indeed, he is exultant and boastful.

Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; they will have forgiveness and a great reward.”