things, and what follows it, such as patience, contentment, and the like. Thus, with regard to piety—which is obedience to the religious commands—and patience in bearing what befalls them under the divine decree governing creation, they fall into four categories.

The first consists of those who possess both piety and patience. These are the people whom Allah has blessed with happiness in this world and the Hereafter.

The second consists of those who have some measure of piety but lack patience, such as those who fulfil their obligations of prayer and the like and refrain from forbidden things. Yet when one of them suffers bodily illness or a similar affliction, suffers harm to his wealth or honour, or is tried by an enemy who frightens him, his distress becomes intense and his panic apparent.

The third consists of people who have some measure of patience but lack piety, such as the wicked who patiently endure whatever befalls them in pursuing their desires. These include thieves and highway robbers who endure pain in their pursuit of forcible seizure and unlawful gain, as well as scribes and administrative officials who endure such things in pursuit of the wealth they obtain through dishonesty and other means. Likewise, those who seek leadership and supremacy over others endure forms of suffering that most people cannot bear. Similarly, those enamoured of forbidden forms of beauty, whether passionate lovers or others, endure various kinds of suffering and pain in pursuing the forbidden things they desire. These are the ones who seek supremacy on earth