Most High:

“But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.”

The incentive to do good is stronger. A person has an inner impulse urging him toward faith, knowledge, truthfulness, justice, and the fulfilment of trusts. When he finds someone else doing these things, he gains a second incentive, especially if that person is his peer, and particularly when there is competition between them. This is good and praiseworthy. If he finds believers and righteous people who want him to join them in these deeds and hate him if he does not, he gains a third incentive. If they command him to do so, show him loyalty for doing so, and oppose and punish him for neglecting it, he gains a fourth incentive. For this reason, believers are commanded to counter evil deeds with their opposites among good deeds, just as a physician counters an illness with its opposite.

The believer is commanded to reform himself through two things: doing good deeds and refraining from evil deeds, despite the presence of influences that hinder good deeds and prompt evil deeds. These constitute four categories. He is also commanded to reform others through these four categories, according to his ability and means. Allah Most High says:

“By time! Surely mankind is in loss, except those who believe, do righteous deeds, urge one another to uphold the truth, and urge one another to persevere.”

It is reported that al-Shāfiʿī, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “If all people reflected on Surah al-Asr, it would suffice them.” It is indeed as he said. Allah Most High has declared that all people are at a loss except those who are themselves believers and righteous, and who urge others to uphold the truth and to persevere. When a trial grows severe, it becomes, for the righteous believer, a means of elevation in