In Sahīh Muslim, Abū Hurayrah reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Strive for what benefits you, seek Allah’s help, and do not give in to helplessness. If something befalls you, do not say, ‘Had I done such-and-such, this and that would have happened.’ Rather, say, ‘Allah decreed, and He has done whatever He willed,’ for ‘if only’ opens the way for Satan’s work.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the servant to strive for what benefits him and to seek Allah’s help, and forbade him to give in to helplessness. What benefits the servant most is obedience to Allah and His Messenger, which constitutes worship of Allah Most High. These two principles embody the meaning of His words:

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

He forbade helplessness, meaning wastefulness, negligence, and sluggishness. As he said in another hadith:

“The prudent person is one who holds himself to account and works for what comes after death. The helpless person is one who lets his soul follow its desires and entertains wishful hopes concerning Allah.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhī.

In Sunan Abī Dāwūd:

“Two men brought their dispute before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he ruled against one of them. The man against whom he ruled said, ‘Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘Allah blames helplessness. Rather, you must act prudently. Then, if something overcomes you, say: Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’”

Prudence is thus the opposite of helplessness. Another hadith states:

“Everything is by divine decree, even helplessness and prudence.”

Narrated by Muslim. By helplessness, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) does not mean that which is the opposite of