the day and in the early hours of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with evil deeds. That is a reminder for those who are mindful.”

“And be patient, for Allah does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.”

And His words, Exalted is He:

“So be patient with what they say, and glorify your Lord with praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting.”

Likewise, in Surah Qāf:

“So be patient with what they say, and glorify your Lord with praise before the rising of the sun and before sunset.”

And He, Exalted is He, says:

“We certainly know that your heart is distressed by what they say.”

“So glorify your Lord with praise and be among those who prostrate.”

As for His joining prayer and zakah together in the Quran, this occurs very frequently.

Thus, observing prayer, zakah, and patience sets right the affairs of rulers and subjects, provided one understands what these comprehensive terms encompass.

Prayer encompasses remembering Allah Most High, supplicating to Him, reciting His Book, devoting one’s religion sincerely to Him, and relying upon Him.

Zakah encompasses doing good to people through wealth and other benefits, such as supporting the oppressed, aiding those in distress, and meeting the needs of those in need.

In the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is reported to have said:

“Every act of kindness is charity.”

This therefore includes every act of kindness, even a cheerful face or a kind word.

In the two Sahīh collections, ‘Adī ibn Hātim, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“There is not one of you but that his Lord will speak to him, with no doorkeeper or interpreter between them. He will look to his right and see only what he has sent ahead, and he will look to his left and see