you are in a state of piety, oppose your self by freeing yourself from attachment to created beings—their bodily forms and likenesses, their favors—and from reliance upon them, trust in them, fear of them, hopes placed in them, and desire for the fleeting worldly goods they possess. Do not hope for their gifts, whether as presents, zakah, charity, expiation, or the fulfillment of vows. Cease looking to them in any way or through any means. Truly detach yourself from created beings, and regard them as a door that is closed and opened, or a tree that bears fruit at one time and is barren at another. All this occurs through the action of One who acts and the governance of One who governs: Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He.
When this understanding becomes firmly established in you, you will truly affirm His oneness—Blessed and Exalted is He. Yet do not forget that people acquire their deeds, lest you fall into the doctrine of the Jabriyyah. Believe that they cannot accomplish their actions independently of Allah—Blessed and Exalted is He—lest you worship them and forget Allah Most High. Do not regard their actions as independent of Allah, lest you fall into disbelief and become a Qadarī.
Rather, say: ‘These actions belong to Allah in their creation and to His servants in their acquisition.’ This is what the transmitted reports affirm, clarifying the basis for recompense, whether reward or punishment. Obey Allah’s command in your dealings with them, and obtain your allotted share from them according to His command, without overstepping it. His ruling remains in force, governing both you and them; do not make yourself the judge. Your being among them is a matter of divine decree, and divine decree is darkness. Enter that darkness with a lamp, namely ‘the ruling’: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Do not depart from either of them.
If a thought occurs to you or you experience an inspiration, weigh both against the Book and the Sunnah. If you find that they prohibit it—for example, if you are inspired to commit unlawful sexual intercourse, engage in usury, or associate with