Prayer is analogous: a person either does not pray, prays to show off, prays sluggishly, or prays sincerely. The first three categories are blameworthy. The same applies to zakat. Migration and jihad are likewise analogous, for people fall into four categories with respect to them. The same applies to steadfastness and remembrance in His words:

“When you encounter an enemy force, stand firm and remember Allah often.”

Likewise, regarding patience and mercy in His words:

“And urge one another to patience and urge one another to mercy.”

People fall into four categories with respect to patience and mercy. The same applies to His words:

“Seek help through patience and prayer.”

Thus, they … (1) with respect to patience and prayer.

Generally, these pairings in the Quran consist of either two deeds or two qualities within a deed, and people fall into four categories with respect to them. If they are two separate deeds, such as prayer and patience, prayer and zakat, and similar pairings, performing either one is beneficial even if the other is neglected. But if they are two conditions of a deed, such as sincerity and firmness, neither alone is beneficial. Reminders of one’s generosity and hurtful conduct nullify the reward, just as showing off nullifies it, as the Quran indicates.

Such pairings include fear of Allah and good character—for Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good—as well as righteousness and piety, and truth and patience. The finest faith is generosity and patience.

This differs from pairings of blameworthy qualities, such as falsehood and sin, arrogance and boasting, miserliness and cowardice, and sin and transgression; for blame attaches to either one on its own