accepted it, in which case he will be deprived of its reward. Likewise, he fears that Allah may have become displeased with him for his disobedience and may therefore punish him for it.

When someone is pursuing a desired end—as with a merchant or a courier whom he has sent to attend to some business at a particular time—once that time has passed, he says, “I hope that so-and-so has taken care of that matter.” Its completion lies in the past, but the joy, happiness, and other desired benefits it brings him lie in the future.

At the time when pilgrims customarily enter Mecca, someone may say, “I hope they have entered.” Concerning a military detachment dispatched against the disbelievers, one may say, “We hope that Allah has granted the believers victory and spoils.” At the time when the Nile in Egypt rises, one may say, “We hope that the Nile has risen,” just as someone present in Egypt at such a time says, “We hope that the Nile will rise high this year.” When rain falls in some areas, someone who owns land and wishes for rain on it may be told, “I hope the rain has been widespread, and I hope that such-and-such a tract of land has received rain.” This is because what one hopes for is something whose occurrence brings joy and delight, whereas what one dreads is something whose occurrence causes pain.

This is connected to knowing what has happened, and that knowledge lies in the future. When someone learns that the Muslims have been victorious, that the pilgrims have entered, or that rain has fallen, he rejoices, and other objectives of his are thereby fulfilled. If matters turn out otherwise, that desired and welcome outcome is not attained. Thus, he says, “I hope” and “I fear,” because what brings joy or distress is connected to learning what has happened, and this lies in the future.

Likewise, the happiness and salvation sought through faith lie in the future. Thus, the qualification “if Allah wills” is made concerning present faith on this account, because the goal sought through it lies in the future. Moreover, every future outcome one seeks is contingent upon Allah’s will