power except through Allah.

A report states:

“Whoever wishes to be the strongest of people should place his trust in Allah.”

Saʿīd ibn Jubayr said: “Reliance on Allah encompasses all of faith.” Allah Most High said:

“Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him.”

And He said:

“When you sought your Lord’s help, He answered you.”

This accords with the more correct of the two views: reliance on Him—like supplication, likewise according to the more correct of the two views—is a means of securing benefits and warding off harm. It gives the servant strength and the ability to direct events in creation. Hence it predominates among those who experience spiritual states, whether they adhere to the revealed law or not. Through it they exercise influence and bring about effects, “at times” in accordance with Allah’s command, and “at other times” contrary to it.

His words, “Whoever follows Our will,” refer to what Allah wills in His revealed law, as in His words:

“Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.”

And His words:

“Allah wishes to lighten your burden.”

And His words:

“Allah does not intend to impose hardship upon you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favour upon you.”

This means obeying His command. A hadith states:

“As for you, O ʿUmar, if you obeyed Allah, He would comply with you.”

An authentic hadith states:

“If he asks Me, I will surely give him, and if he seeks My protection, I will surely protect him.”

Allah Most High has also said:

“He answers those who believe and do righteous deeds, and gives them still more out of His bounty.”

His words, “Whoever gives something up for Our sake, We give him more than abundance itself,” mean that whoever gives up what Allah dislikes, whether forbidden or merely disliked, for Allah’s sake—out of hope, love and fear—We give him more than abundance itself. This is because this is the station of patience. Allah Most High said:

“Those who are patient will be given their reward without measure.”