But although these “three things” fall under obeying the command when that expression is used without qualification, when they are distinguished and mentioned together, either they are singled out for explicit mention, or each expression is understood to convey something different from the other. This is exemplified by His words:

“So worship Him and put your trust in Him.”

And His words:

“So worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.”

These acts fall within worship when the term “worship” is used without qualification. When they are “mentioned together,” however, one may either say that the particular act is mentioned both generally and specifically, or that its specific mention makes it unnecessary to include it within the general term. Similar examples are His words, Most High:

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

And His words:

“And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself wholly to Him. Lord of the East and the West—there is no deity worthy of worship except Him—so take Him as your Trustee. And be patient with what they say, and withdraw from them graciously.”

It may, however, be said that the expression “devoting oneself wholly” does not encompass these subsequent, conjoined commands in the way that the terms “worship” and “obedience” do.

“In sum,” there is a difference between what a person is commanded to do at the outset and what he is commanded to do when he needs to secure a benefit or ward off harm, or when he loves or hates something. The words of the shaykh—may Allah sanctify his soul—revolve around this central point: that one should do what is commanded, refrain from what is forbidden, and have no desire concerning anything beyond these two;