intend to do something reprehensible: they neither defend themselves nor endure patiently, but instead become helpless and distressed.

In Sunan Abī Dāwūd, it is related from ‘Awf ibn Mālik that two men brought their dispute before the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The man against whom judgment was given said, “Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.” The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Allah blames helplessness. Rather, you must be resourceful; then, if something overcomes you, say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’”

In Sahīh Muslim, Abū Hurayrah relates that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Strive for what benefits you, seek Allah’s help, and do not succumb to helplessness. If something overcomes you, do not say, ‘If only I had done this, such and such would have happened.’ Rather, say, ‘Allah has decreed, and He has done as He willed,’ for ‘if only’ opens the door to Satan’s work.”

Do not succumb to helplessness in carrying out what you are commanded to do, nor give way to distress over what has been decreed. Some people combine both evils. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—commanded striving for what is beneficial and seeking Allah’s help. A command entails obligation—or, if not, recommendation. He forbade helplessness and said:

“Allah blames helplessness.”

The helpless person is the opposite of those who defend themselves. The command to endure patiently and the prohibition against giving way to distress are well established in many passages.

This is because a person faces two kinds of matters: something he has been commanded to do, which he must do