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inward or outward, what is termed inward may be more obligatory, such as abandoning envy and arrogance, for this is more obligatory upon a person than voluntary fasting. Conversely, something termed outward may be more meritorious, such as night prayer, which is better than merely dismissing certain passing thoughts from the heart, such as wishing for blessings like those enjoyed by others, and the like.
Inward and outward deeds each support the other. Prayer restrains indecency and wrongdoing and engenders humble devotion and other tremendous effects. It and charity are the best of deeds. And Allah knows best.
بَاطِنًا أَوْ ظَاهِرًا فَقَدْ يَكُونُ مَا يُسَمَّى بَاطِنًا أَوَجَبَ مِثْلُ تَرْكِ الْحَسَدِ وَالْكِبْرِ فَإِنَّهُ أَوَجَبَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ نَوَافِلِ الصِّيَامِ وَقَدْ يَكُونُ مِمَّا سُمِّيَ ظَاهِرًا أَفْضَلَ:
مِثْلُ قِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّهُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ مُجَرَّدِ تَرْكِ بَعْضِ الْخَوَاطِرِ الَّتِي تَخْطُرُ فِي الْقَلْبِ مِنْ جِنْسِ الْغِبْطَةِ وَنَحْوِهَا وَكُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ عَمَلِ الْبَاطِنِ وَالظَّاهِرِ يُعِينُ الْآخَرَ وَالصَّلَاةُ تَنْهَى عَنْ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَتُورِثُ الْخُشُوعَ وَنَحْوَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ الْآثَارِ الْعَظِيمَةِ: هِيَ أَفْضَلُ الْأَعْمَالِ وَالصَّدَقَةُ وَاَللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ.