by a man is vain except his shooting with his bow, training his horse, and playing with his wife, for these are right and proper.”

And his saying about Umar:

“This is a man who does not like what is vain.”

As for that which offers no benefit, commanding it is vain, as are intending it and doing it; for acting upon it, directing one’s intention toward it, and commanding it are vain.

This is also the sense intended when scholars say that acts of worship and contracts are either valid or invalid. A valid act or contract is one that produces its intended effect and achieves its purpose. An invalid one does not produce its intended effect or achieve its purpose.

This is why the deeds of the disbelievers are vain. A disbeliever, insofar as he is a disbeliever, believes in something that does not exist and makes assertions about it, which is false. He worships that whose worship brings him no benefit, acts for its sake, and enjoins this upon others, which is likewise vain. Yet because they have deeds and statements, they come to resemble the people of truth. Thus the Most High says:

“But those who disbelieve—their deeds are like a mirage on a level plain, which a thirsty man thinks is water, until, when he comes to it, he finds it to be nothing, but finds Allah there, who pays him his account in full. And Allah is swift in reckoning.”

And the Most High says:

“Those who disbelieve and turn others away from the path of Allah—He has rendered their deeds fruitless.

“But those who believe, do righteous deeds, and believe in what has been sent down to Muhammad—and it is the truth from their Lord—He has removed their misdeeds from them and set their affairs right.

“That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood, while those who