man, when his Lord tests him by honoring him and granting him ease, he says, ‘My Lord has honored me.’”

“But when He tests him by restricting his provision, he says, ‘My Lord has humiliated me.’”

He, glory be to Him, has explained that His testing someone in this world does not necessarily mean that He has humiliated him. Rather, He tests His servant through both prosperity and adversity. The believer is steadfastly patient and grateful, so both are good for him. As authentically reported, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah decrees nothing for the believer except that it is good for him, and this is true of no one but the believer. If prosperity comes his way, he gives thanks, and that is good for him. If adversity befalls him, he is patient, and that is good for him.”

The hypocrite, however, is anxious and impatient, as the Most High has said:

“Indeed, man was created anxious: fretful when harm touches him, and withholding when good comes his way—except those who pray, who are constant in their prayers, and in whose wealth there is a recognized right for the beggar and the deprived”—up to His words—“honored in Gardens.”

Since a servant may find easy what does not benefit him but instead harms him—disobedience to Allah, arrogance in prosperity, and transgression—while he may intend to worship Allah, obey Him, and do righteous deeds yet be unable to do so, he has been commanded to say in every prayer:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

It is authentically reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says: ‘I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves: half is for Me and half is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’ When he says, ‘All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds,’ He says, ‘My servant has praised Me.’ When he says, ‘The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,’ He says, ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ When he says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment,’ He says, ‘My servant has glorified Me.’ When he says, ‘You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,’ He says, ‘This verse is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’ When he says, ‘Guide us to the path