awareness of Allah’s watchfulness, lowers his gaze from what is forbidden, and restrains himself from desires”—he also mentioned a sixth quality, which I think was eating lawful food—“will never err in his discernment.” Allah Most High rewards His servant’s deeds with a recompense of the same kind: He releases the light of his inner vision and opens for him the door to knowledge, understanding, unveilings, and other things perceived through the heart’s insight.

The Third Benefit

Strength, steadfastness, and courage of heart.

Allah grants him the power of insight alongside the power of proof. As a report states:

“Satan fears even the shadow of one who resists his own desires.”

Thus, those who follow their desires suffer the humiliation, weakness, and abasement that Allah has decreed for those who disobey Him. For Allah has granted honour to those who obey Him and humiliation to those who disobey Him. Allah Most High says:

“They say, ‘If we return to Medina, the more honourable will surely expel the more abased from it.’ Yet honour belongs to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers.”

He also says:

“Do not lose heart or grieve, for you will have the upper hand, if you are believers.”

Hence the saying of the spiritual masters: “People seek honour at the gates of kings, but they find it only in obedience to Allah.”

Al-Hasan al-Basrī used to say: “Though their horses carry them at a smooth, swift pace, and their docile mules clatter beneath them, the humiliation of disobedience hangs upon their necks. Allah insists on humiliating those who disobey Him.”

Whoever obeys Allah has shown loyalty to Him insofar as he has obeyed Him. Whoever disobeys Him has a share in the conduct of those who oppose Him through their sins. In the supplication of qunūt, it is said:

“Indeed, none whom You take as an ally is humiliated, and none whom You oppose is honoured.”