However, people differ in these “spiritual stations,” some belonging to the elite and others to ordinary believers. The elite have their distinctive forms of these stations, while ordinary believers have their general forms. For example, these people say:

“Reliance upon Allah is defending one’s own interests in seeking sustenance, whereas a member of the elite does not defend his own interests.”

They also say: “The person who relies upon Allah seeks something through his reliance, whereas the knower contemplates affairs together with the ramifications arising from them, and so seeks nothing.”

In response to the first claim, reliance upon Allah extends beyond relying upon Him for worldly interests. A person relies upon Allah to set his heart and religion right and to safeguard his tongue and intentions. These are his most important concerns. Thus, in every prayer he addresses his Lord intimately, saying:

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

Likewise, Allah, exalted is He, says:

“So worship Him and rely upon Him.”

And:

“Upon Him I rely, and to Him I turn.”

And:

“Say: He is my Lord; there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him I turn in repentance.”

He has thus joined worship and reliance upon Him in several passages, because these two encompass the entire religion. Hence, some of the early generations said: Allah brought together the revealed scriptures in the Quran, the knowledge of the Quran in the Mufassal surahs, the knowledge of the Mufassal in the Opening of the Book, and the knowledge of the Opening of the Book in His words:

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

These two comprehensive statements concern the Lord and the servant, as illustrated by the hadith in Sahīh Muslim, reported by Abū Hurayrah from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who said:

“Allah, glorified is He, says: ‘I have divided the prayer into two halves between Myself and My servant: half is for Me and half is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’ The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: The servant says, ‘All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.’ Allah says, ‘My servant has praised Me.’ The servant says, ‘The Most Compassionate