prescribed in the revealed Law, just as the former is the concern of the command and will pertaining to creation and divine decree. Allah, glorified is He, has blessed the believers with help and guidance. He has shown them the way by sending messengers and revealing scriptures, and has helped them follow it in knowledge and practice. Likewise, He has bestowed His favors upon them and the rest of creation by creating them, providing for them, and granting them well-being. He has also favored most of creation by making them aware of His Lordship over them and their need for Him, granting their requests, and answering their supplications. He, the Exalted, says:

“Everyone in the heavens and the earth asks of Him. Every day He is engaged in a matter.”

Thus, all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth ask of Him. There are therefore four levels:

“One group” neither worshipped Him nor sought His help, although He created them, provided for them, and granted them well-being.

“Another group” sought His help, and He helped them, but they did not worship Him.

“Another group” sought to worship and obey Him, but did not seek His help or put their trust in Him.

“The fourth category” consists of those who worshipped Him and sought His help, so He helped them worship and obey Him. These are the ones who believe and do righteous deeds. He, glorified is He, has explained the favor He has bestowed specifically upon the believers in His words:

“He has endeared faith to you and made it beautiful in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness, and disobedience hateful to you. Those are the rightly guided.”

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May Allah bless Muhammad, the best of the messengers, and all his family and Companions.